Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2: Rematch in Doubt & Contract Breach Claims

Boxing fans anticipating a rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. And Manny Pacquiao may face further disappointment as the planned September 19 bout at The Sphere in Las Vegas is now shrouded in uncertainty. Mayweather has publicly questioned the fight’s location and characterized it as an exhibition, prompting a strong response from Pacquiao’s promotional team.

The rematch, initially announced in February, was slated to be a professional contest streamed on Netflix. However, Mayweather recently stated at a public appearance, “We don’t know the location of the fight. The Sphere is one of the places that they talked about. So, we don’t know if it’s 100 percent going to be there. And What we have is not actually a fight. It’s an exhibition.”

Contractual Dispute Emerges

Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, vehemently refuted Mayweather’s claims, accusing him of breaching his contract. “As of right now, the fight is still on. There is no termination of any sort, and he has signed for a professional fight,” Mathur told ESPN. “Floyd Mayweather is officially in breach of his contract. He’s been in a breach since the day he went out and said what he said on Saturday, and he’s officially in a breach as of yesterday.”

Mathur detailed that Mayweather signed multiple agreements between October 24 and December 14, 2025, related to his return to professional boxing. He further asserted that Mayweather has already received financial advances related to the Pacquiao fight. “He received money for all three agreements when he signed them. Not only that, but he’s also taken out an advance on his purse for his fight against Pacquiao,” Mathur stated.

Site Visit Confirmed, Despite Doubts

Despite Mayweather’s public statements, Mathur confirmed that a site visit to The Sphere involving representatives from both Mayweather Promotions, Manny Pacquiao Promotions, and Netflix had already taken place. The visit included approximately 35-40 representatives, as well as producers from Hidden Empires, EverWonder Studios, and Limitless X Holdings.

The core of the dispute appears to center on whether the fight will be a fully sanctioned professional bout or an exhibition. Pacquiao’s camp is adamant that the agreement was for a professional fight, while Mayweather seems to be pushing for an exhibition format.

Mayweather’s Upcoming Schedule

Adding another layer to the situation, Mayweather has two other fights scheduled in the near future. He is slated to face former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on April 26 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, in June. These commitments raise questions about his focus and availability for the Pacquiao rematch.

As of April 2, 2026, the status of the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch remains uncertain. Pacquiao’s team maintains the fight is still on, but Mayweather’s continued questioning of the arrangements and his alleged breach of contract cast a significant shadow over the highly anticipated event. The situation will likely hinge on whether Mayweather reaffirms his commitment to the original terms of the agreement or faces further legal complications.