The Most Anticipated Rematch in the Boxing World in 2024

The legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao talked about the date of the rematch against his arch-rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. As journalist Michael Benson reported on his page on Twitter, Pacquiao announced the decision to hold another fight against Mayweather during the New Year's Boxing Night in Japan.

" Manny Pacquiao has just been brought into the ring during RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve event in Japan and claimed he is fighting Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition rematch in 2024, as was previously discussed a year ago. No confirmation from Mayweather as yet."

Manny Pacquiao - Floyd Mayweather

On May 2, 2015, an electrifying welterweight showdown took center stage at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. This epic battle featured not only the coveted WBA super title but also the prestigious WBC, WBO, Ring magazine titles, and the ultimate distinction of being recognized as the best boxer across all weight categories.

The opponents boxed all 12 rounds, at the end of which Mayweather celebrated the victory. This fight became the most profitable in the history of boxing. Mayweather received $300 million, and Pacquiao - $150 million, excluding television sales. The total income from the fight was more than half a billion dollars.

On March 11, 2015, Mayweather and Pacquiao convened for their inaugural press conference, with only journalists gracing the venue. Remarkably, the event garnered a staggering 700 media accreditations.

Adding to the spectacle, the WBC had commissioned a special championship belt for the eventual victor of this monumental bout. This exceptional belt boasts an opulent design adorned with countless emeralds and gold, boasting a remarkable valuation of $1 million.

Who Was Preferred by the Bookmakers?

Following the contract's signing, the best anonymous sportsbooks immediately leaned in favor of Mayweather, offering odds of 1.30 for his victory, while the odds for Pacquiao's triumph stood at 3.5.

Floyd Mayweather was the clear betting favorite in what would become a legendary fight. On Tuesday morning, Bovada had the undefeated welterweight superstar listed at -225, while Manny Pacquiao was positioned as a stable +175 underdog throughout the buildup to the bout. Initially, the betting lines opened with Mayweather as a more significant favorite, ranging from -260 to -285. However, as anticipation built, the odds shifted, eventually settling between -185 and -225, thanks to a rapid influx of wagers from fans worldwide.

Mayweather, boasting a flawless record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts, typically enters his fights as a considerable favorite. For instance, he was a commanding -1,000 favorite in his first clash with Marcos Maidana and a -800 favorite in their September rematch. In 2012, Mayweather was listed at around -700 when facing Miguel Cotto, and in 2013, he held similar odds against Robert Guerrero.

The closest Mayweather came to those lines was during his 2013 showdown with Canelo Alvarez, where he ranged from -260 to -280 during fight week. Mayweather ultimately secured a majority decision victory in that fight, though it wasn't a closely contested match, and one of the judges who scored it a draw retired shortly thereafter.

The most substantial wager placed on the fight was a $500,000 bet in favor of Pacquiao. Interestingly, another bettor was considering a staggering $1 million wager on Mayweather, with hopes of finalizing the bet by fight night.

As for ticket prices at the MGM, they were set at 3.3-1 in favor of Pacquiao. However, at sportsbooks located farther down the strip, the odds were even more heavily tilted in favor of the Filipino congressman, ranging from 7-1 to 10-1.

The Future Rematch in 2024

Manny Pacquiao announced his retirement on September 29, 2021, but the fight with Mayweather probably changed the Filipino's plans. The specifics of a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch remain shrouded in uncertainty, as there have been no revelations about ongoing negotiations or possible challenges. Notably, Floyd Mayweather, aged 46, has not publicly addressed Manny Pacquiao's recent statement on the matter.

It can be predicted that this supposed second fight could take place in 2024, which is much earlier than originally expected. Manny Pacquiao's retirement from boxing, as well as political and business circumstances, likely influenced this accelerated schedule.

Although Pacman didn't specify a tentative date for the fight in his announcement, there has been no mention of it from Mayweather's side either. As a result, the boxing community eagerly anticipates more details in early 2024.