Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are geared for a boxing rematch in 2024. Pacquiao unveiled the fight plans live at RIZIN 45 on December 31:
"Next year, I hope to see you here in Japan with a big fight against ---" Pacquiao looked over to RIZIN CEO Nobuyiki Sakakibara.
"Floyd Mayweather," Sakakibara announced.
"I thought that you didn't want me to say that," Pacquiao chuckled.
We have yet to see confirmation from Mayweather, but RIZIN has played host to two "Money" fights in the past. Mayweather first fought kickboxing phenom Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 14 in 2018, and then against Mikuru Asukura at Super RIZIN 1 in 2022.
Pacquiao hasn't fought under the RIZIN banner yet. The Filipino boxer announced his signing with the Japanese promotion in 2022 but failed to make any appearances in 2023.
Instead of RIZIN, however, Pacquiao will box as part of Thailand's Fresh Air Festival in April 2024, against Thai boxing legend Buakaw Banchamek in an exhibition match.
Pacquiao and Mayweather first fought in 2014 in what would be one of the highest-performing boxing matches of all time - topped only by Muhammad Ali's legendary fights with George Foreman and Joe Frazier (I, II).
Now 45 and 46 respectively, a rematch is long past due, but it would surely captivate fans all the same.
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