A rematch between aging stars, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, is being discussed for 2026 on Netflix. There’s no word whether this old timer’s fight will count on the official records or be an exhibition.
A Rematch No One Asked For
It would be a rematch of their May 2, 2015, fight, a decade ago, which Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) won by a 12-round unanimous decision. The scores were 116-112, 116-112, and 118-10. After the fight, Pacquiao revealed that he’d fought with an injury to his right rotator cuff, which had flared up in the third or fourth round.
The event was a huge success, generating $400 million in domestic PPV revenue. Mayweather received a 60% split of the revenue, while Pacquiao received 40%. His take of the money was estimated between $180 million and $210 million. Pacquiao reportedly brought in $120 million. This big payday led to Mayweather’s career slowing, as he seemed to lose ambition and fought just twice more before retiring from active competition.
It was dubbed as ‘The Fight of the Century’ by many boxing fans during the build-up, but turned out to be a dull, disappointing contest, with Mayweather potshotting, moving constantly,holding, and not taking any chances. In terms of dullness, it was similar to the recently heavily promoted Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford.
Money Still the Motivation
Of the two, Mayweather-Pacquiao was slightly more entertaining to watch, but not for the $89.95 PPV price for standard definition and $99 for high definition. For those who remember the 2015 fight, the overloaded cable systems broke down in various parts of the U.S., leaving viewers with nothing to watch and wasting their money.
Mike Coppinger reports that the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is “being explored” for Netflix next year. If the fight happens, it will be 10 years after their underperforming fight from 2015.
How Tyson’s Comeback Sparked This Idea
Mayweather will turn 49 years old on February 24, 2026. The currently 46-year-old Pacquiao turns 47 on December 17, 2025. What may have planted the idea into the heads of the two aging stars is the 58-year-old Mike Tyson facing Jake Paul in an exhibition match on November 15, 2024. Tyson reportedly made $20 million.
Earlier in 2025, Pacquiao returned from a four-year retirement and fought to a 12-round majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19. The scores were 114-114, 115-113 for Barrios, and 114-111.
Tom Galm’s Editorial Judgment
The Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 rematch reeks of greed between two tycoons returning from the Gilded Age for one last money grab. It’s a golden parachute that neither one of them needs, as they’re both embarrassingly rich already. If it were free without a subscription, that’s one thing. That’s not what’s going to happen.
It’s a fight that makes boxing look like a joke, and it would be a shame if Netflix chooses to broadcast it on its huge platform. They need to draw the line and refuse to put on exhibitions or matches involving older fighters just looking to cash in on their names.
Pacquiao looked beyond poor earlier this year in his controversial 12-round draw against Mario Barrios. The judges did Manny a favor by scoring it a draw, even though he didn’t deserve it.
Last Updated on 10/27/2025
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