Pacquiao announces rematch with Mayweather for 2024: 'I'm ready'
Is the "Fight of the Century" finally getting a rematch?
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao announced that he is set to fight longtime rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. this year during RIZIN's New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31, 2023.
The Japanese mixed martial arts organization's chief executive Noboyuki Sakakibara asked the former senator to "please fight Floyd Mayweather" in 2024, to which Pacquiao said he is "ready."
"Thank you so much for inviting me here again," Pacquiao addressed the Japan crowd.
"I'm sorry for the last time we promised I'm going to fight this year. But like Sakakibara-san explained, next year, I hope to see you here in Japan again with a big fight against... Floyd Mayweather."
CEO Sakakibara: "Could you please fight against Floyd Mayweather?"
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2023
Manny Pacquiao: "I'm ready."
📡 Watch on @FITEtv !🔻https://t.co/eEpfmslhPp pic.twitter.com/gwod6x8wKm
Other details about the fight have yet to be revealed. Mayweather has also not responded to the announcement.
In 2015, the two decorated boxers went head-to-head for a "Fight of the Century" which Mayweather won via unanimous decision. Both Pacquiao and Mayweather are retired but they do take part in exhibition matches.
There were negotiations about a rematch between the boxing legends in 2010 but it ultimately did not come to fruition.
In his boxing career, Pacquiao won 12 major titles in eight different weight divisions. He announced his retirement from boxing in September 2021, a month after his bout with Yordenis Ugás, as he bared his plans to run for president in the 2022 elections.
Since retiring, Pacquiao has fought YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition match and is set to next take on Muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek in April 2024.