Pacquiao's Team Issues Firm Rebuttal to Mayweather's Exhibition Comments
In a dramatic twist to the highly anticipated boxing rematch, Manny Pacquiao's promotional team has launched a strong counterattack against Floyd Mayweather's recent contradictory claims. Mayweather, a legendary figure in the sport, had stunned fans by casting doubt on the nature of the bout, describing it as an exhibition rather than a professional fight. However, Pacquiao's camp has now officially hit back, asserting that the clash remains firmly scheduled as a sanctioned professional contest.
Mayweather's Surprising Remarks Spark Controversy
Earlier this year, boxing enthusiasts were electrified by the announcement that the two icons, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, would face off once more in a professional bout at The Las Vegas Sphere on September 19. This rematch comes over a decade after their initial encounter in 2015, where Mayweather secured a decisive points victory. Despite the recent confirmation, Mayweather plunged the sequel into uncertainty during an interview with Vegas Sports Today.
Mayweather stated, "As of right now, we don't actually know where the fight is going to be at," before adding, "This is not actually a fight, it’s an exhibition, so we're going to do it again and hopefully we'll entertain the people. We’re both winners, it's an exhibition so we’re both winners." These remarks directly contradicted earlier agreements and left fans questioning the bout's legitimacy.
Pacquiao's Camp Confirms Professional Status
Manny Pacquiao, who made a return to competitive action last year with a draw against Mario Barrios, had previously insisted through his team that he would only engage in a sanctioned professional fight with his bitter rival. Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, has now officially responded to Mayweather's comments, reinforcing that the fight is still on track as planned.
In an interview with ESPN, Mathur confirmed, "As of right now, the fight is still on. There is no termination of any sort, and he has signed for a professional fight." He elaborated that Mayweather is in breach of contract, stating, "He's been in a breach since the day he went out and said what he said on Saturday, and he's officially in a breach as of yesterday."
Contractual Agreements and Financial Details Revealed
Mathur provided detailed insights into the contractual obligations, revealing that Mayweather signed three separate agreements on different dates: October 24, November 6, and December 14. These agreements involved two different parties and were interconnected in January, all pertaining to his return to professional boxing. Notably, Mayweather received payments for all three contracts upon signing and even took an advance on his purse for the Pacquiao fight.
Mathur emphasized, "No one in these last three months has brought up anything related to the venue or related to the fight not being a professional fight. His team has had all the contracts, he signed all the contracts. We have the DocuSign proofs as well as wet signatures with his device ID, with his IP address, with everything there."
Accusations of Fear and Commitment Issues
The response from Pacquiao's team took a pointed turn as Mathur suggested that Mayweather might be avoiding a professional showdown due to fear. He asserted, "If he's scared of Manny and he does not want to put his record on the line in a professional boxing match, not only should he have never executed any of these agreements, but he should just come right out and say it, because Manny ain't scared." This accusation adds a layer of personal rivalry to the already tense situation.
Background on Both Fighters' Recent Activities
Floyd Mayweather retired from professional boxing in 2017 after his victory over Conor McGregor but has remained active in the exhibition scene, facing opponents like Logan Paul, Deji Olatunji, Aaron Chalmers, and John Gotti III. In contrast, Manny Pacquiao initially retired five years ago to focus on his political career in the Philippines before making a dramatic return to the ring last year. This rematch represents a significant moment for both legends, potentially defining their legacies in the sport.
The ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of high-stakes boxing negotiations and the intense scrutiny surrounding this long-awaited rematch. As both camps continue to exchange statements, fans eagerly await further developments to see if the fight will proceed as a professional bout or if Mayweather's exhibition claims will prevail.
