Manny Pacquiao has revealed that he has agreed to rematch old rival Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition bout set for 2024.
After suffering a defeat against Yordenis Ugas in 2021, Pacquiao announced his retirement from boxing to focus on his ambition to run for president in his native Philippines.
However, despite calling time on his professional career, Pacquiao has remained active inside the ring, winning a decision victory over South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in December 2022.
The 45-year-old also has another upcoming exhibition bout in the works that will see him face off against the Muay Thai great Buakaw Banchamek under boxing rules, scheduled for April 20.
However, Pacquiao is seemingly already eyeing up his next challenge as he appeared at the RIZIN MMA New Year’s Eve event at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Manny Pacquiao revealed that he will rematch Floyd Mayweather in a boxing exhibition in 2024
Mayweather won a unanimous decision when the pair first faced off back in 2015
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Appearing in the ring with RIZIN promoter Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Pacquiao revealed that he will rematch Mayweather in Japan sometime in the coming year.
‘Thank you so much for inviting me here again.’ He said.
‘I’m sorry for the last time that we promised that I was going to fight this year like Sakakibara-san explained.
‘Next year, I hope to see you in Japan again with a big fight against Floyd Mayweather. I’m excited for that. Thank you for all your support in RIZIN all these promotions, and thank you Sakakibara-san.’
Mayweather twice previously competed in boxing exhibitions under the RIZIN banner.
Just over a year after announcing his retirement from professional boxing following his win over Conor McGregor, Mayweather returned to the ring to take on Japanese kickboxing starlet Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition and went on to win by first-round TKO.
In 2022 Mayweather returned to the Saitama Super Arena to face former RIZIN MMA title challenger Mikuru Asakura before again securing a stoppage victory.
Mayweather has twice competed in boxing exhibitions under the RIZIN banner in Japan
Conor McGregor recently claimed that he had been in discussions over a potential fight with Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia
Pacquiao has long been rumoured to potentially face McGregor inside the ring, with the Irishman recently hinting that talks surrounding the pair facing off in Saudi Arabia had proven fruitful.
‘The Mac has loads to offer and loads to deliver.’ The former UFC champion said.
‘They’re talking Manny (Pacquiao) here in Saudi, the lads in the UFC aren’t really talking anything, the lads here talking Manny the lads in the UFC aren’t really talking anything. So I’m sitting here as usual.’