Referee at centre of Arsenal controversy handed FOURTH Gunners match already this season
September 25, 2025
2026 World Cup Mascots: Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Eagle
September 25, 2025
Manny Pacquiao’s adviser has weighed in on the prospect of a rematch between the Filipino boxing legend and his old rival Floyd Mayweather, with each fighter back in the sport.
Pacquaio, 46, returned to professional boxing in July to challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, taking the champion to a draw. Meanwhile, 48-year-old Mayweather is set to box fellow American icon Mike Tyson, 59, in an exhibition bout in spring 2026.
Pacquiao’s draw with Barrios marked the southpaw’s first pro fight since 2021, although he had competed in exhibition contests in the time since. Similarly, Mayweather has fought in numerous exhibitions since his final pro fight – a 2017 stoppage of UFC star Conor McGregor.
With Mayweather and Pacquiao both back in boxing, albeit in different capacities, the latter’s adviser Sean Gibbons has commented on the prospect of a rematch of their 2015 fight. That initial contest remains the best-selling pay-per-view in boxing history, and it was won on points by Mayweather.
“Only Floyd can answer that,” Gibbons said of a rematch, talking to Gamble Online. “We signed with PBC and Al Haymon in 2019 to make Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather 2.
“Manny fought Adrien Broner, and Floyd may have thought Manny looked a little too sharp, so he chose to have another fight. Then Manny fights Keith Thurman, drops him and beats him. Floyd was the first guy to leave the building before hearing the decision.
“[Manny] later comes back, fights Yordenis Ugas and loses a decision. But now Manny is back, so it’s up to Floyd.
“I love Floyd. He’s a great guy, but he retired or started doing exhibitions, while Manny is still a real fighter. To answer your question: only Floyd knows. Manny is always available if it makes dollars and makes sense.”
Gibbons insisted that Pacquiao, who had been linked to British star Conor Benn, wants a “meaningful” fight next. That said, Mayweather has teased a potential pro return after he faces Tyson.
Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
“All the stories are out there, and Rolly Romero is one of the frontrunners, because Manny wants meaningful fights,” said Gibbons. “He wants to break his own records and make history – just like when he won the world title at 40 years old.
“He should’ve set a new record at 46, but that didn’t happen, so now the goal is to do it at 47. That’s where things stand. We would’ve loved to have fights with the likes of Amir Khan and Conor Benn, but at this point, Manny has already shown everyone that he’s back.
“Nobody believed him; they thought he was coming back just for a payday, but no: he’s back because he loves fighting. He’s passionate about the sport and wants to make history.
“That’s his mission now. Manny is no longer in politics, so he’s a full-time boxer again. Looking ahead, we have a solid set of potential fights. We take things one fight at a time, but based on how he performed on 19 July, he proved to everyone that he can still compete.”
Gibbons was referencing Pacquiao’s spell in politics, with the 46-year-old having served as a senator in the Philippines from 2016 until 2022. He then ran for president unsuccessfully, before an unsuccessful bid at a senatorial return led him back to boxing.
Pacquiao is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time and is the only eight-weight champion in the sport’s history. Meanwhile, some deem the unbeaten Mayweather the finest fighter to have graced the sport of boxing. He has held titles at five weights.