Eight years on from their ‘Fight of the Century’ clash and Manny Pacquiao has announced a surprise rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
The 45-year-old Filipino fighter, who remains the only boxer in history to have won twelve major world titles in eight different weight divisions, is set to be a busy man in 2024.
He will face off against kickboxing and Muay Thai legend Buakaw ‘The White Lotus’ Banchamek on April 20 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok – a contest that will consist of six three-minute rounds.
Pacquiao has been tipped to make a triumphant return to boxing for some time, with Conor McGregor recently calling out the eight-division world champion to fight him in Saudi Arabia.
And it appears Pacquiao will go head-to-head with old foe Floyd Mayweather in what will likely be a fascinating rematch.
Speaking at the MMA event Rizin 45 this weekend, Pacquiao addressed the crowd in Japan with his announcement.
“I hope to see you in Japan in a big fight against… Floyd Mayweather,” he said, after getting permission to reveal his opponent.
“I thought you wouldn’t want me to say that. I am excited. Thank you for always supporting ‘RIZIN’ promotions.”
As you can see from the footage below, Pacquiao’s revelation received little-to-no reaction from the thousands in attendance at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the president of RIZIN, also confirmed Mayweather vs Pacquiao II will take place on one of their cards, although details surrounding the bout are yet to emerge.
Manny Pacquiao announces he’s fighting Floyd Mayweather on RIZIN in 2024 🤯 pic.twitter.com/EJ485tdFhO
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 31, 2023
As mentioned earlier, Conor McGregor repeatedly called out Pacquiao for a boxing or UFC fight as he watched ‘The Day of Reckoning’ event featuring Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
The former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion, who hasn’t competed since suffering a broken leg in a defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021, sat next to Cristiano Ronaldo as he issued the call-out.
“I love Manny, tell Manny to grow a set of balls,” he said. “Tell Manny to grow a set of balls and fight me at a higher weight.
“Why not? It’s his sport. If he wants me to come down to a smaller weight he should let me use more of my weapons.
“I should be able to kick, I should be able to grapple. Shouldn’t that be fair? Say it to him, is he a man or a mouse? Is Manny a man or a mouse?”
UNREAL SCENES! 🤩
"Who's winning this one?!"
Conor McGregor chops it up with Cristiano Ronaldo and compares watches ⌚ 😅
Watch #DayOfReckoning LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/xn85V5NLHU pic.twitter.com/8xBdJbUNlz
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 23, 2023
Speaking to heavyweight boxer Derek Chisora later on in the night, McGregor said: “How about me vs Manny here in Saudi. How does that sound to you?”
“Wouldn’t you think Manny should have to come up to my weight, considering it’s his sport. Wouldn’t you think that’s what a man would do versus what a mouse would do.”
