Manny Pacquiao Calls Out Floyd Mayweather for Rematch - But There's a Catch

History was witnessed in the boxing world when Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather finally faced each other in a long-awaited bout in May 2015. Years of negotiations and fan speculation culminated in the "Fight of the Century" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Heading into the fight, Mayweather sported the WBA and WBC welterweight titles, boasting a record of 47-0. Pacquiao, who sported the WBO welterweight title, had an illustrious career with a record of 57-5-2. The fight, although the greatest build-up in history, resulted in a unanimous decision for Mayweather, but for fans, it's an unfinished business between the two.

Record-Breaking Success

Manny Pacquiao Calls Out Floyd Mayweather for Rematch

Commercially, the match was a monumental event. In terms of pay-per-view sales alone, it broke records with over 4 million sales and earned more than $72 million at the gate.

The fight confirmed Mayweather's legacy, and he retired undefeated in 2017 with an impressive record of 50-0. Pacquiao, on the other hand, continued to fight. He added more titles to his name before losing to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba in August 2021.

Pacquiao's Unrelenting Obsession for a Rematch

Even after being away from the ring for an extended period, Manny Pacquiao refuses to retire. The Filipino icon has always stated that he wants a rematch with Mayweather. But it might come as a shock that a second fight will involve a very unexpected twist.

During his latest interview for Seconds Out, Pacquiao stated that Mayweather has a specific condition for the rematch: the fight cannot be under ordinary professional boxing rules.

This stipulation of Mayweather aligns with his penchant for exhibition bouts, where he can keep an impeccable record while pocketing big paychecks.

The Rise of Exhibition Matches

Mayweather has been open to exhibition fights as a source of making money outside of professional bouts. These will give him a chance to display his prowess without ruining his legacy.

Pacquiao has also had exhibitions, though a repeat bout with Mayweather in this guise may split opinion. The nostalgia that it would elicit would make some fanatics happy, while others feared that their rich history together would be diminished.

Pacquiao Makes Bold Callout to Gervonta Davis

Adding to the drama, Pacquiao recently called out WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis. With his explosive power and undefeated record, Davis would be a great opponent.

Pacquiao's callout shows how competitive he is and his willingness to face elite fighters at this stage of his career.

Will the Rematch Happen?

A Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch, even as an exhibition, would definitely attract a lot of attention. For the fans, though, the question remains whether it would do justice to their legacy or merely become a spectacle.