The long-rumored rematch between boxing icons Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao has been postponed indefinitely. Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, confirmed the development on June 26, 2026, citing a “volatile mix of federal lawsuits, scheduling overbooks, and financial gridlock” within the Mayweather camp as the primary cause for the collapse.
The bout was initially targeted for September 2026, with world-class streaming platform Netflix set to broadcast the event globally. However, the 49-year-old Mayweather is currently navigating a web of legal challenges that have effectively frozen his ability to finalize new contracts. These hurdles include a significant lawsuit from CSI Sports, the firm that acted as organisers for the proposed rematch.
Legal battles stall the Mayweather and Pacquiao sequel
CSI Sports has taken legal action against Mayweather, alleging a breach of contract regarding exclusive promotional rights. The firm claims it paid the American fighter a $4.65 million advance for the rights to promote his high-profile matchups, including the Pacquiao rematch and a proposed clash with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
According to Jas Mathur, these legal issues became public approximately 10 days ago, though teams had been trying to resolve them behind the scenes. CSI contends that Mayweather violated their agreement by pursuing a separate exhibition bout against Mike Zambidis, a Greek kickboxing legend. This conflict resulted in CSI filing an emergency injunction, which led to the cancellation of Mayweather’s planned appearance in Athens against Zambidis last weekend.
This legal friction mirrors the broader complex boxing match delayed by contract talks seen elsewhere in the sport. Mathur stated that several of Mayweather’s signed agreements were “intertwined” and “improperly structured,” leading to dates being double-sold to different organisers.
Mayweather’s personal legal and financial hurdles
Beyond the promotional disputes, Mayweather faces personal legal pressures in Nevada. The fighter is reportedly facing two felony charges in the state related to an allegation of using a bad check for the purchase of a watch valued at more than $200,000. While his legal team has characterized the matter as a civil dispute, it adds to a growing list of “legal issues going on at the moment” referred to by Mathur.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has also threatened the veteran fighter over approximately $7.3 million in unpaid taxes. Reports suggest the agency even considered a move to revoke Mayweather’s passport due to the debt. These financial constraints reportedly motivated Mayweather to accept multiple fight offers, contributing to the “double sold” contract chaos that eventually derailed the Pacquiao negotiations.
Pacquiao insists on a professional rematch
Despite the external chaos, there remains a fundamental disagreement regarding the nature of the contest. Manny Pacquiao, who is now 47 years old, has remained firm that any return to the ring against his old rival must be a sanctioned professional bout. Mayweather has at times suggested the meeting would be an exhibition, but Pacquiao was clear in his stance.
“The contract that we signed is a real fight. I wouldn’t fight an exhibition,” Pacquiao stated regarding the agreement. The Filipino legend expressed his desire to finally hand Mayweather the first professional loss of his career. This legacy-driven motivation stands in contrast to the exhibition circuit Mayweather has frequented since his 2017 retirement.
While the Mayweather bout is on hold, Pacquiao’s team is not sitting idle. Sean Gibbons, President of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, noted that they are exploring alternative options for September 2026 to ensure his training doesn’t go to waste. As the Fury-Joshua date revealed for later this year shows, the heavyweight division is moving forward, and the 47-year-old Pacquiao is similarly keen to secure a “right opportunity” while waiting for Mayweather to resolve his litigation.
Looking toward a potential 2027 rescheduling
The collapse of the September date leaves the boxing world looking at 2027 as the earliest possible window for the icons to meet. Pacquiao expressed hope that Mayweather would “fix his problems” regarding the lawsuits, but he acknowledged that the final date is now up in the air.
If the hurdles are cleared, the bout could represent a final professional chapter for both men. Their first meeting in May 2015 remains a benchmark for the sport, having generated 4.6 million pay-per-view buys. In that initial encounter, Mayweather secured a unanimous decision, though Pacquiao’s performance was impacted by a right shoulder injury suffered during his training camp.
Today, the landscape is different. Modern streaming giant Netflix has stepped up to provide the platform, a move Sean Gibbons described as part of a “perfect storm.” However, until the “financial gridlock” surrounding Mayweather is untangled, one of the most anticipated sequels in boxing history remains a victim of the courtroom rather than the ring. Fans may have to wait for the first quarter of 2027 for any further movement on the “Sphere in Las Vegas” event once touted for this year.
