Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who is favourite and why is fight happening in 2026 in Las Vegas?

On Monday, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao stunned the boxing world by announcing a professional rematch - 11 years after their first bout.

Mayweather, 49, will officially come out of retirement to face Pacquiao, 47, at the Sphere in Las Vegas in September 19 over a decade on from their 'Fight of the Century' - which remains the highest grossing bout in boxing history.

So, why is this fight happening and what can we expect? With the help of Sky Sports' Andy Scott, we take a look at some of the key questions surrounding this unexpected rematch.

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Why is Mayweather vs Pacquiao happening again?

The news has caught everybody by surprise.

Eleven years ago, Pacquiao and Mayweather fought at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and in the years since then, there has been speculation from both sides that they would get it on again. But, there's not been a huge clamour for the rematch, so the timing is surprising.

Ultimately, it's happening because there is a demand for it. There is an audience, a market and a demand that people will tune in on Netflix to watch the fight. It's going to get huge global visibility and that could be the primary reason that it's happening.

What has each fighter's recent boxing activity been?

Pacquiao has been more active as a pro than Mayweather. His recent form is a draw against former world champion Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight world title in July 2025 and many observers felt that Pacquiao could have got the nod on that night.

Before that he had a four-year hiatus, and he lost to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021 by unanimous decision, where that spark and zip seemed to not be there.

Meanwhile, Mayweather's recent form has basically been on the exhibition circuit against social media influencers, including Logan Paul in 2021 and Deji in 2022.

His last professional fight was against Conor McGregor in 2017, although many people viewed it as a crossover spectacles.

How can it be a professional rather than an exhibition fight?

There will always be a sanctioning body around the world that is probably willing to sanction these types of fights.

Mayweather is 49 and Pacquiao is 47, so there are question marks around the health and the age and how dangerous boxing can be. Arguably, it should be an exhibition, but they have found a body to sanction it as a professional fight.

Are there safety concerns?

Any time older fighters and former fighters continue, there are valid health concerns. At the ages of 49 and 47, Mayweather and Pacquiao are long past their peak.

But, maybe it's not the three-minute rounds that will be tough but the training camps and the sparring. Boxing, by its very definition, is a dangerous sport, and whilst a lot of time goes into improving safety measures, it is never 100 per cent safe.

Given both fighters are two former world class athletes, they should know how to look after themselves but you can never take away all the risk.

Does it being a pro rather than exhibition bout damage integrity of boxing?

My initial gut reaction is, no, it probably doesn't, because they should be well matched. I think the sanctioning of fights that include YouTubers with no real boxing background, perhaps they can do a little bit more damage.

There is a wider question of, why are they doing it, and what are they getting out of it, other than the financial rewards. But I'm not sure if it necessarily damages boxing's integrity, I think there will just be a lot of people around the world that share my sentiment of, I wish they weren't doing it.

Is it likely to be a one-off pro return for Mayweather?

There will probably always be a list of challengers who want to fight Mayweather. He's 50-0 and never been beaten. He's a terrific showman, one of the best sort of self-promoters, and there will always be people that want to be associated with that.

But he's been a long time removed from the professional game. I don't see a world in which Mayweather is making a long run towards a world title.

Is Pacquiao favourite this time given he's been more active?

Possibly. But I think once fight night comes around, it will be fairly 50-50, because while Pacquiao did look relatively impressive against Mario Barrios, it was a winnable fight.

Mayweather has been relatively active on the exhibition circuit, taking fights that he's a massive favourite in. Knowing Mayweather, I would say he won't take a serious gamble, he'll take an educated risk.

I think he still believes on his day, at 49, he beats a 47-year-old old Pacquiao because he beat him when they were 11 years younger.

Could the winner be back in world title contention?

I would be surprised. Maybe Pacquiao, with the extra two years, has got more of a chance than Mayweather, but I'm not sure either are going to be in world title fight contention, and I'm not sure they should be either.

Watch Caroline Dubois vs Terri Harper live on Sky Sports on Sunday April 5. Tickets available here

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