Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are set to face off once more in a professional pugilistic return bout on September 19th at The Sphere venue in Las Vegas.
This encounter is slated for worldwide broadcast via Netflix.
This declaration was made merely days subsequent to Mayweather Jr.’s revelation of his plans to end his hiatus from the sport, following his scheduled 2026 exhibition bout with Mike Tyson, and his subsequent signing of a partnership for multiple contests with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.
Pacquiao, too, emerged from his retirement last July, engaging in a contest against the then-WBC welterweight titleholder Mario Barrios, which concluded in a split decision draw. An exhibition match is also scheduled for him, where he will confront Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18th at the Thomas & Mack Center, also located in Las Vegas.
The specific weight division or the number of rounds for this impending contest remain undisclosed at this time.
EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire, and Limitless X Holdings will undertake the production of this bout. The spectacle itself is being championed by Manny Pacquiao Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, collaborating with CSI Sports/FIGHT SPORTS.
Mayweather secured a unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, in a much-anticipated clash that ultimately fell short of the considerable expectations built around it. Nevertheless, it did demolish multiple pugilistic benchmarks that endure to this day, such as Pay-Per-View viewership within the United States, registering 4.6 million purchases and generating in excess of $410 million in income. Moreover, the event established new gate revenue records, achieving $72.2 million from ticket acquisitions.
“In a released declaration, Mayweather stated, ‘I have already competed against and defeated Manny on a prior occasion. The outcome will be identical this time around.'”
Mayweather, set to reach his 49th year on February 24th, withdrew from professional pugilism at forty years old, subsequent to his August 2017 stoppage victory over mixed martial arts luminary Conor McGregor, thereby concluding his professional ledger with an unblemished 50-0, including 27 knockout triumphs. Since then, he has maintained his involvement by partaking in exhibition contests against figures such as Logan Paul and John Gotti III.
Last September, it was disclosed that Mayweather and Tyson would engage in an exhibition contest during the spring of 2026. Specific timing or location details are still pending.
Pacquiao, aged 47, has persistently sought a return bout with Mayweather, implying he was not at full capacity during their initial encounter due to a shoulder ailment. His initial departure from boxing occurred after his 2021 defeat by Yordenis Ugas, yet he made a comeback in 2025 to contend with Barrios.
Now that both combatants have emerged from retirement and are engaging in professional competition, Pacquiao (with a record of 62-8-3, including 39 knockouts) aims to become the inaugural opponent to mar Mayweather’s flawless professional standing.
“In a declaration, Pacquiao stated, ‘Floyd and I provided the world with what endures as the most monumental contest in pugilistic annals. Supporters have endured a lengthy delay — they are entitled to this return bout, and it will be even grander now that it will be broadcast live across the globe on Netflix. My desire is for Floyd to bear the burden of a solitary defeat on his professional career and forever recall who inflicted it upon him. As is customary, I consecrate this confrontation to my compatriots, the Filipinos worldwide, and to elevating the prestige of the Philippines.'”
Although this bout will not possess the prospect of surpassing Pay-Per-View viewership milestones, its availability on Netflix ensures global access for more than 325 million subscribers. The 2024 encounter between Jake Paul and Tyson marked Netflix’s inaugural venture into the sport of boxing, attracting 108 million live worldwide spectators, thereby establishing itself as the most extensively streamed athletic occasion ever recorded.
“Gabe Spitzer, Vice President of Sports at Netflix, conveyed in a statement, ‘During my earlier professional years, I dedicated weeks to observing Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s preparatory camps in Las Vegas and the Philippines. It was unequivocally clear that they represented the sport’s most diligent practitioners, with their triumphs and commendations being a direct consequence of that dedication.’ Presenting this return match on Netflix represents a profoundly significant ‘completion of a cycle’ juncture. ‘Our excitement is immense in uniting their legendary antagonism with the advanced, immersive technological capabilities of Sphere, aiming to provide a momentous athletic spectacle to our global subscriber base.'”
This occasion will additionally signify the inaugural pugilistic contest to be hosted at The Sphere. The Ultimate Fighting Championship previously staged an event at the $2.3 billion facility in 2024, incurring production expenditures that surpassed $20 million.