Boxing: Mayweather sheds light on rematch against Pacquiao

It all seemed settled: Mayweather vs Pacquiao, the big rematch, scheduled for next Sept. 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. A full 11 years after their legendary meeting, a new face-off. In fact, as revealed by Mayweather himself, the bout would be quite different from what everyone expects; in fact, it would not be a real fight at all.

“Right now, we don’t know exactly where the fight will be held,” Mayweather told Vegas Sports Today. “We don’t know the venue. The Sphere is one of the places that has been talked about. So, we don’t know if it will be held there 100 percent. And actually it would not be a real meeting, but an exhibition.” In short, the big rematch would “only” be an exhibition match.

Mayweather’s statements contradict Netflix’s announcement last February about the rematch, as well as a recent press release from the 49-year-old U.S. boxer stating that he would resume his boxing career and sign a multi-fight deal with CSI Sports/Fight Sports. “It’s an exhibition fight, so we both win,” Mayweather said, reiterating that the rematch with Pacquiao will not be a professional bout. “We just want to get in the ring, entertain the audience and provide a good show.”

Mayweather also stated, again to Vegas Sports Today, that he still has a desire to have an exhibition bout against Mike Tyson, a match announced last year but still without an official date and venue. In short, Mayweather’s words have generated some confusion, and not only about the much-publicized rematch against Pacquiao.