The Filipino veteran says the current uncertainty around their proposed rematch reminds him of the long stretch between 2010 and 2015, when multiple attempts to finalize a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. repeatedly broke down after appearing close to completion.
Pacquiao said that period left a lasting impression, shaping how he views the latest round of negotiations.
“Before the previous fight, we were dealing with him for like eight years. There were so many promises, and I think of all the times I signed a contract thinking that was the one,” Manny Pacquiao said. “That was at least five years, with a lot of alibis.”
Even after agreements have reportedly been signed for a September rematch, Pacquiao is not treating the fight as secure. Mayweather’s recent public comments describing the bout as an exhibition and questioning the venue have introduced fresh uncertainty.
By calling it an exhibition, Floyd protects his 50-0 legacy. If it’s just for fun, a loss doesn’t officially tarnish his perfect record. Pacquiao is 47 and trying to stay fight-ready, which is much harder to maintain during a moving target date than it is for a younger fighter.
Mayweather has always been the one who dictates terms. Changing the venue or the rules at the eleventh hour is his way of reminding everyone who the A-side is.
Floyd is 49, and Manny is 47. Every month they delay, the casual fan interest drops. However, Mayweather may believe that the will they/won’t they drama actually builds more hype for the eventual Netflix stream than a smooth, professional rollout would.
“Him still changing his mind. You need to honor your commitment. This time, there’s no reason for alibis or excuses,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao’s frustration feels completely authentic, and honestly, it’s hard to blame him for being blunt. When he says there is “no reason for alibis or excuses,” he is essentially calling Floyd’s bluff in front of the whole world.
Manny is focusing on his reputation as the people’s champ who fights anyone, anywhere. By publicly calling out the “alibis,” he’s trying to box Floyd into a corner. He knows that if this falls through now, the public narrative will shift entirely onto Mayweather being the one who ducked a legitimate professional rematch in favor of a low-risk exhibition.
For years, the excuse narrative actually followed Pacquiao. Remember the shoulder injury talk after the 2015 fight?. By using that specific word, “alibis,” he is effectively flipping the script. He’s positioning himself as the veteran who has grown past the drama, while implying Floyd is still stuck in the same manipulative patterns he used a decade ago.
It feels like Manny is finished with the dance partner routine. He’s putting the ball in Floyd’s court: either show up for a real fight at The Sphere or admit to the world that the “TBE” (The Best Ever) moniker has a few conditions attached to it.
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