Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has firmly dismissed claims that his highly anticipated September showdown with longtime rival Floyd Mayweather will be a mere exhibition, insisting instead that the bout is a full-fledged professional fight.
The clarification comes just days after Mayweather suggested the clash would be staged purely for entertainment, sparking confusion and debate across the boxing world.
Pacquiao Insists: “This Is a Real Fight”
In a statement released on Friday, Pacquiao made his position clear, stressing that the agreement signed between both camps outlines a sanctioned, competitive contest, not a showpiece.
“I want to be very clear that the contract we signed is for a professional boxing match. This is not an exhibition; it is a real fight,” Pacquiao stated.
He further addressed the growing speculation, noting that his primary goal has always been to deliver a genuine, high-level contest for fans eager to see the rivalry reignited.
“From the beginning, my intention has been to give the fans what they truly want—a high-level, competitive sanctioned fight,” he added.
Netflix Rematch Set for Las Vegas
The much-talked-about rematch was officially unveiled in February by Netflix, confirming that both fighters, now in their late 40s, will return to the ring on September 19 at the iconic Sphere in Las Vegas.
The bout is already generating massive interest, given the historic nature of their first meeting in 2015, which remains the highest-grossing fight in boxing history with a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys.
Mayweather’s Comments Stir Controversy
However, excitement around the rematch was briefly overshadowed after Mayweather described the upcoming fight as an exhibition during an interview earlier in the week.
“It’s an exhibition, so we’re both winners,” Mayweather said. “We just want to go out there and entertain the people and put on a good show.”
His remarks quickly raised concerns among fans who were expecting a competitive rematch rather than a staged spectacle.
Contract Dispute Emerges
Pacquiao’s team has since pushed back strongly against Mayweather’s claims. The Filipino star emphasized that the original announcement made by Netflix accurately reflected the terms agreed upon by both parties.
He also expressed confidence that those terms would be upheld.
Backing this stance, Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, took a firmer tone in a recent interview, accusing Mayweather of failing to honor the agreement.
According to Mathur, Mayweather’s public comments contradict the signed contract, suggesting a potential breach that could complicate preparations for the fight.
Fans Await Clarity
With both camps offering conflicting narratives, uncertainty now surrounds what exactly fans should expect when the two boxing icons meet again in September.
For now, Pacquiao remains adamant: this is not a nostalgic exhibition, but a legitimate fight aimed at settling unfinished business inside the ring.
As anticipation builds, the boxing world will be watching closely to see whether the rematch lives up to its billing as a true competitive showdown or takes a different turn altogether.
