Manny Pacquiao announces he will rematch Floyd Mayweather next year after Conor McGregor talks
31/12/2023 16:21
Manny Pacquiao claims he will rematch Floyd Mayweather in 2024.
The eight-weight boxing world champion made a special guest appearance during an MMA event at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan on New Year's Eve.
RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara, who put on the show, invited Pacquiao into the ring and proceeded to ask him about potentially fighting Mayweather again next year.
The Filipino boxing legend sent a two-word message to his rival before proceeding to apologise about a previously planned fight that fell through.
"I'm ready," Pacquiao said when the prospect of a second fight with Mayweather was brought up by his host.
"Thank you so much for inviting me here again.
"I'm sorry for the last time we promised we were going to fight.”
Pacquiao then began talking up a 'big fight' that will take place next year but hesitated to name his opponent until being prompted to do so by Sakakibara.
He added: “Next year, I hope to see you here in Japan with a big fight against… Floyd Mayweather. I thought you didn't want me to say that.
"I'm excited for that."
The pair clashed in 2015 in the highest-grossing boxing fight of all time, as Mayweather came out on top by unanimous decision before Pacquiao claimed he was dealing with a shoulder injury.
'Money' retired in 2017 with a record of 50-0 and he has kept busy fighting in low-risk exhibition bouts, the latest being a DQ win over John Gotti III in June.
Pacquiao called time on his Hall-of-Fame career in September 2021 following a points defeat to Yordenis Ugas, but it was recently confirmed he will return to the ring.
The 45-year-old is set to face Muay Thai and kickboxing legend Buakaw in Thailand on April 20 before looking to secure a mega-money clash with Mayweather later in the year.
Pacquaio's comeback announcement came just days after UFC superstar Conor McGregor told talkSPORT that he was in talks to fight the boxing icon, whom he was supposed to face in 2021.
Only time will tell if clashes with Mayweather and McGregor come to fruition, but Pacquiao appears intent on making something big happen during the next 12 months.
