Manny Pacquiao Hints at Floyd Mayweather Rematch Under Rizin Banner

CEO Sakakibara: "Could you please fight against Floyd Mayweather?"

Manny Pacquiao: "I'm ready."

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The highest selling bout in combat sports history could be in line for a rematch in 2024 under the Rizin Fighting Federation banner.

Manny Pacquiao was in attendance for Rizin 45 on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. “Pacman” was invited to the ring by Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara, who asked if he would fight fellow boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

“Thank you so much for inviting me here again,” Pacquiao said. “I’m sorry for the last time, we [were] meant to fight last year as Mr. Sakakibara explained. Next year I hope to see you here in Japan for a big fight against ... Floyd Mayweather! I thought you wouldn’t want me to [announce] that. But I am excited for that.”

The two former world champions clashed for the first time in 2015 in what would become the highest-selling event in the history of combat sports. However, the fight failed to live up to its hype, with Pacquiao suffering a one-sided decision loss, which he later attributed to a shoulder injury.

Even if the rematch comes to fruition, it could take some time, as both Pacquiao and Mayweather are booked for their next outings. While Mayweather is set to rematch John Gotti III on Feb. 11, Pacquiao is slated to fight muay thai legend Buakaw Banchamek in a special rules match on April 20.