Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will face each other in a sanctioned professional rematch on September 26, 2026, in Las Vegas. The event, co-promoted by Mayweather Promotions and MP Promotions in partnership with CSI Sports/Fight Sports, is expected to be livestreamed globally on Netflix.
This confirmed second meeting comes over a decade after their initial 2015 “Fight of the Century,” which saw Mayweather secure a unanimous decision victory.
The road to this official date involved several scheduling shifts and logistical adjustments. Netflix first announced the bout on February 23, 2026, with an original date of September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. The date was later moved to September 25 before landing on the current September 26 slot.
While T-Mobile Arena is the reported likely location, the official venue remains “To Be Announced.”
This fight carries significant implications for both men’s legacies, as it will be a sanctioned professional bout and not an exhibition. This distinction was a major point of contention during negotiations, with Pacquiao and MP Promotions CEO Jas Mathur insisting on a “real fight.”
Mayweather initially suggested an exhibition format but eventually conceded to the professional status, meaning the result will impact his perfect 50-0 record.
Weight class and medical protocols for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2
The athletes have agreed to contest the rematch at a catchweight of either 152 or 153 pounds. This sits just above the 147-pound welterweight limit where they fought in 2015. Such a move is expected given the age of the participants, as they navigate the physical demands of a high-stakes professional camp in their late 40s.
Rigid health and safety measures are already being established for the training period. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) will administer random blood and urine testing to ensure a clean contest. This protocol aligns with the high standards expected of major world-class events, particularly those involving fighters with deep history and massive global interest.
Equipment choices also reflect the professional nature of the bout. Manny Pacquiao is set to wear Reyes gloves, a brand he has favored throughout his legendary career. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not yet confirmed which glove manufacturer he will use for the September showdown.
Professional records and recent ring activity
Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. will be 49 years and 6 months old when he steps into the ring this September. His unblemished 50-0 (27 KOs) record remains one of the most protected assets in boxing history. His last professional outing was the 2017 crossover event against Conor McGregor, though he has remained active through various high-profile exhibition matches.
Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao enters with a professional record of 62-8-3 (39 KOs). He is the only fighter in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. Pacquiao will be 47 years and 9 months old at the time of the fight and possesses more recent competitive experience than his rival.
In July 2025, Pacquiao ended a brief retirement to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. That closely contested fight resulted in a majority draw, proving that the Filipino icon retains world-level competitiveness despite his age. This return to form complicates the narrative for those who assume Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua is the only heavyweight-scale drama currently gripping the sport.
Financial stakes and the hunt for redemption
The primary driver behind this second meeting is financial gain, described by those close to the deal as “Money, money, and more money.” The 2015 fight remains a benchmark for the industry, having generated 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and a $72 million gate at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The involvement of Netflix suggests a shift toward streaming accessibility for this generation’s audience.
Beyond the revenue, the personal stakes are arguably higher than they were eleven years ago. For Pacquiao, this represents a final chance to avenge the definitive loss he suffered in May 2015. He aims to become the first man to defeat Mayweather in a professional setting, a feat no one else has achieved across Mayweather’s 21-year active career.
Mayweather, conversely, is risking his technical “perfection” late in life. By accepting a professional sanctioning instead of an exhibition, he is betting his legacy on one final defensive masterclass. This decision to prioritize a “real” result over a scripted showcase mirrors the seriousness seen when Roy Jones Jr. announces rematches that demand high-level professional preparation from veteran stars.
Logistical changes and shifts from The Sphere
The decision to move away from The Sphere was influenced by economic and logistical considerations. While The Sphere offered a unique visual backdrop, traditional boxing infrastructure at the T-Mobile Arena is often preferred for bouts of this magnitude. This venue change has been a hallmark of the promotional buildup, signaling a pivot toward more conventional revenue-generating setups in the Las Vegas market.
As the September 26 date approaches, both camps are expected to begin their final preparations. While critics point to the combined age of the fighters, the commercial appeal of Mayweather and Pacquiao remains undeniably 1-2 in the global boxing consciousness. Fans can expect a technical battle where experience and defensive ring generalship will likely outweigh raw youth and speed.
