More than a decade after the most lucrative fight in boxing history left fans divided, Manny Pacquiao says he believes the timing is finally right for a different outcome.
Speaking to ESPN’s SportsCenter following the official announcement of his rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao said he has reflected extensively on their first bout in 2015 and is determined to remove the lingering questions that followed.
“I learned a lot from that fight way back in 2015,” Pacquiao said Tuesday. “I think we’ve matured now in how we handle it. I hope it will not happen again the way it did in 2015.”
The rematch is scheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas and will be streamed globally by Netflix, more than 11 years after Mayweather won a unanimous decision in a tactical fight that drew criticism for its lack of sustained action.
Pacquiao: ‘No More Excuses’ After ‘The Fight of the Century’
The original bout, billed as “The Fight of the Century,” shattered financial records, generating more than $600 million in total revenue and producing a record 4.4 million pay-per-view buys and generating over $72 million at the gate.
But the fight itself left many fans unsatisfied.
Pacquiao later revealed he entered the contest with a torn rotator cuff, a disclosure that fueled debate for years and intensified calls for a rematch.
“The experience wasn’t really 100 percent,” Pacquiao said. “This time around, I’m hoping for no more excuses — especially with my condition and everything.”
Pacquiao, now 47, said the perspective that comes with time has reshaped how he views the rivalry.
Rejecting a Mayweather Exhibition Fight Earlier
Pacquiao said the rematch only moved forward once it became clear the fight would be contested as a real, sanctioned bout rather than an exhibition.
“Before, he wanted an exhibition with me, but I disagreed,” Pacquiao said. “I didn’t want to fight an exhibition. I want a real fight like this. This is what I’ve been waiting for.”
Mayweather, who turns 49 Tuesday, recently announced plans to return to boxing in a professional capacity after an exhibition earlier this year. The undefeated American boxer is scheduled for an April 25 exhibition bout against Mike Tyson.
The Pacquiao bout would mark his first fully sanctioned fight in years.
Manny Pacquiao on Staying Ready in His Late 40s
Pacquiao returned to the ring in July, challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title in Las Vegas. The fight ended in a majority draw.
The result fueled debate over Pacquiao’s ability to compete at the elite level at his age but also demonstrated his continued drawing power.
He is also scheduled to face Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round exhibition on April 18 at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. That bout will serve as his final ring appearance before the September rematch.
Pacquiao said discipline has allowed him to remain competitive.
“Both of us are disciplined fighters,” he said. “We take care of our bodies. I always work out almost every day. Right now, I still feel like I can fight.”
As the rematch approaches, Pacquiao says his focus is on preparation — and closure.
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