Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs Manny Pacquiao Rematch Talk Heating Up After Mayweather Moves To 49-0
Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be headed for a rematch with Manny Pacquiao, with some still believing the much-hyped bout will see a second go-round, even amid Mayweather’s talk of retirement.
Mayweather made easy work of overmatched opponent Andre Berto on Saturday, climbing his record to 49-0 in what Mayweather said will be the final fight of his career.
“My career is over. It’s official,” said Mayweather after the fight, via ESPN.
If he follows through with retirement plans, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will end with the same record as legendary boxer Rocky Marciano.
Mayweather said believes the record can be broken — just not by him.
“That means it’s part of boxing history,” he said. “Records are made to be broken. Hopefully, we can find the next Floyd Mayweather who can break the record. Right now, I only want to spend time with my family.”
Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he plans to “hang it up” for good, but many in the boxing world doubt that he will stay retired.
As SB Nation pointed out, Mayweather has talked about retirement following his 2007 win over Ricky Hatton, but was back in the ring two years later. Mayweather has also completed his six-fight deal with Showtime, making him a free agent, which grants the ability to sign a giant deal for his next bout.
“Consider this: what happens if Mayweather ‘retires’ Saturday night, takes a year off of boxing, and then announces his return for one last historic fight? One true final fight where he will break Marciano’s record? The bidding war between Showtime and HBO will be huge, and Mayweather, already the highest paid fighter in the history of the sport, will stand to make one more massive payday.”
There have been rumblings for months that there could be a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch. After the record-smashing first fight back in May, which grossed more than $500 million, many believed that Mayweather would eventually come around for a second fight and a chance at another nine-figure payday.
The possibility of a Mayweather Pacquaio rematch could be even higher now that Mayweather has a chance to set a boxing record by getting his 50th win in doing so.
Pacquiao seems to have his eye on Mayweather. On Saturday, he appeared to call out the boxer, implying that the Berto fight had him bored.
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Manny Pacquiao is open about his desire for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. After reports this week that Mayweather received what may have been an illegal intravenous vitamin injection before the May fight, Pacquiao called for a rematch “without an injury and with fair play.” Mayweather dodged rematch questions after his win over Berto.
[Picture by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images]
