Oscar De La Hoya has weighed in on a potential rematch between former rivals Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
It has been reported this week that Mayweather could be in line to make a sensational return to the ring against eight-division world champion Pacquiao in 2026, over ten years on from their first encounter.
Mayweather defeated ‘PacMan’ via unanimous decision when they clashed for the unified WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles in Las Vegas back in May of 2015, although their highly anticipated showdown failed to live up to expectations.
One man that has experience in sharing the ring with the legendary duo is fighter-turned-promoter De La Hoya, who lost by split decision to Mayweather in 2007, before suffering a stoppage defeat to Pacquiao in 2008 in what turned out to be his final bout.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, De La Hoya shared his thoughts on the possibility of Mayweather and Pacquiao facing each other once again, a bout that could be the latest to be shown exclusively on Netflix around the world.
“When I instantly think about that, I think about entertainment right? And Netflix is all about entertainment. You think about it right? About having the biggest, the best. The best movies, the biggest actors, the best [and] the biggest fighters, the biggest names in boxing.
“It all depends on what the rules are going to be … If that’s the case [real fight] and I think Mayweather would love it too because he’s a competitor too as well, Mayweather’s a competitor, I think your typical boxing audience will appreciate the standard rules of boxing.”
When making his prediction to TalkSPORT, De La Hoya backed Mayweather to prevail.
“I still think that Mayweather will pull this off if it does happen.”
Mayweather has not fought as a professional since he defeated former UFC champion Conor McGregor in their crossover bout back in August of 2017, although the 48-year-old has participated in a number of exhibition bouts since then.
As for Pacquiao, the Filipino great made a sensational comeback to the sport back in July, fighting to a majority decision draw against reigning WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.
