Pacquiao Says Mayweather Fight ‘Not an Exhibition’
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has firmly rejected claims that his proposed rematch with longtime rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be an exhibition, insisting the bout is a “real fight” as tensions rise over the highly anticipated showdown.
The fight, scheduled for September 2026 in Las Vegas, was initially announced as a professional rematch of their historic 2015 clash one of the biggest events in boxing history. However, controversy erupted after Mayweather recently described the bout as an exhibition aimed purely at entertaining fans rather than a competitive contest.
Responding to the claim, Pacquiao clarified that the agreement signed by both camps clearly states that the fight is a sanctioned professional bout. He emphasized that he would not participate in anything less than a legitimate contest, stating that fans deserve a “high-level, competitive” fight.
The disagreement has reportedly sparked tensions behind the scenes, with Pacquiao’s camp accusing Mayweather of potentially breaching contract terms by attempting to change the nature of the fight. Officials close to the Filipino star maintain that all agreements were made on the basis of a professional encounter, not an exhibition.
Mayweather, who retired with an undefeated 50–0 record, has largely focused on exhibition bouts in recent years and appears reluctant to risk that record in a sanctioned fight. His comments suggesting that “both fighters are winners” in an exhibition format have only deepened uncertainty surrounding the event.
Despite the ongoing dispute, both camps indicate that the fight is still on schedule, although its final status remains unclear. With only months to go, boxing fans around the world are watching closely to see whether the long-awaited rematch will proceed as a true competitive clash or shift into a more entertainment-driven exhibition.
