Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather had one of the biggest fights of all time in May 2015.
After fans had to endure years of failed negotiations leading to nothing, the fight finally went ahead just under a decade ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather headed into it as the WBA and WBC welterweight champion with an unbeaten record of 47-0, while Pacquiao was the WBO welterweight champion and his record stood at 57 wins, 5 defeats and 2 draws.
The fight was an incredible commercial success, shattering records with over 4 million PPV buys and a gate of over 72 million dollars.
Mayweather claimed the victory, winning the fight by unanimous decision, before he retired in 2017 with an undefeated record of 50-0.
Pacquiao went on to compete for a number of more years, even becoming world champion on two more occasions, but he suffered a defeat in his last bout when he lost by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
Despite the lengthy period out of the ring, ‘Pac-Man’ hasn’t retired and still intends to fight again, with a rematch with Mayweather always high on his agenda.
With that in mind, Pacquiao has revealed to Seconds Out the one demand that Mayweather has if they are to meet again – that the bout not be under pro rules.
“I can fight Floyd again. He wants an exhibition, I said ok I can fight exhibition, but there has to be [a judges’] decision.”
Both men have taken part in exhibitions since, though fans may feel that in this case a second fight could take away from what was an enthralling rivalry. Mayweather is a particular fan of that side of the sport, realising he can make just as much money, if not more, whilst not putting his record back on the line.
Along with a fight against Mayweather, Pacquiao also gave a shock callout to Gervonta Davis, and sent a defiant message for the WBA lightweight champion.
