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It’s been over a decade since Floyd Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquiao in a bout that shattered financial records but left fans underwhelmed inside the ring. Now, according to a new report from Ring Magazine, streaming giant Netflix—which recently hosted Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford for its 300+ million global subscribers—is exploring the possibility of a long-awaited rematch between the two icons next year. Talks of a rematch have persisted over the years, with no results. Both fighters have since retired, though 46-year-old Pacquiao returned to professional boxing earlier this year, fighting Mario Barrios to a draw. Mayweather, 47, remains retired but is linked to an exhibition bout with Mike Tyson in 2026. While the timeline for a rematch remains uncertain, Pacquiao recently shared an intriguing update—one that also ropes in Conor McGregor and Vasyl Lomachenko. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Conor McGregor, Vasyl Lomachenko, and Floyd Mayweather are all on the list Appearing in an interview with the International Boxing Association (IBA), Manny Pacquiao was asked about his rumored return in January. Reports have linked Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero and Vasyl Lomachenko as potential opponents, prompting the reporter to ask whether either could be next. “There’s a lot of negotiations about it now… classic world event, real fight, and exhibition. At the end of the day, we will announce it probably next year,” Pacquiao said. When questioned about a possible Floyd Mayweather rematch, Pacquiao revealed, “Right now, I can say that there’s an ongoing negotiation with Floyd, but if they never do the negotiation with Floyd, then we will announce it.” Regarding Lomachenko, who retired from the sport earlier this year, Pacquiao admitted uncertainty, saying, “Vasyl Lomachenko. It’s hard to say, but Lomachenko, if he thinks that negotiations are going to work.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Pacquiao was then reminded of the 2020 talks for a potential fight with Conor McGregor that never materialized. Asked if it could happen now, he replied, “Oh yes, that’s possible also, with Conor McGregor. It depends on how I get to the fight.” When asked whether he’d rather fight McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov, Pacquiao was clear about his choice—McGregor. As for his reason, he simply said, “I want to shut his mouth.” Conor McGregor is currently pursuing a feature on UFC’s White House card, which is scheduled for June next, against Michael Chandler. Although the UFC CEO Dana White has hinted at the possibility, there’s no official confirmation. In the meantime, Manny Pacquiao has agreed to do more than just an interview with the IBA. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Manny Pacquiao joins the IBA as Vice President Boxing’s only eight-division champion has officially joined the International Boxing Association as its Vice President. The appointment was confirmed during the IBA Board of Directors meeting in Manila, aligning with the organization’s Golden Era initiative to elevate and professionalize boxing worldwide. Pacquiao will work closely with IBA President Umar Kremlev to develop athlete-first programs and expand boxing’s reach. Kremlev praised the move, saying, “Manny Pacquiao is widely beloved around the globe… His life story mirrors the spirit of IBA’s mission: giving every young boxer a fair chance to achieve their dreams.” Accepting the role, Pacquiao stated, “Under the visionary leadership of President Umar Kremlev, the IBA has entered a Golden Era… I will dedicate myself to building bridges between amateurs and professionals… Boxing can unite people in ways politics never can.” It appears that, despite Ring Magazine’s update, Manny Pacquiao himself isn’t sure who his next opponent will be. While he indicated that talks with Mayweather are ongoing, it’s worth noting that those talks have persisted for years. Who do you think he will end up fighting next?
