MANNY PACQUIAO is still open to a rematch with Floyd Mayweather – who announced he is in talks to make a return to professional boxing.
The pair of boxing greats put almost half a decade of debate behind them when they finally fought in 2015 – selling a record 4.4million pay-per-views.
And Mayweather bossed the action over 12 rounds in what was boxing’s most lucrative fight of all time – grossing over £500MILLION.
The American retired just two years later after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor – despite returning for exhibition bouts since.
Meanwhile Pacquiao also made a comeback in July to fight for the WBC world welterweight title – drawing with Mario Barrios.
Mayweather has signed for an exhibition against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson next year – but claimed he could return to put his 50-0 record on the line.
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It has fuelled rumours of a rematch with Pacquiao – whose advisor Sean Gibbons confirmed PacMan’s desire.
He told 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.
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“[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.”
Mayweather revealed negotiations are already in place to bring him out of retirement.
He told TMZ Sports: “There’s been talks. There’s been talks. It’s possible.
“We just don’t know. But as of right now, everything is going great, and I feel good. Working hard every day and I can’t wait for 2026.”
Tyson, 59, controversially made a comeback in November for his loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 28.
Pacquiao, 46, was unfortunate not to get the decision against Barrios, 30, and could not take on WBA champ Rolly Romero instead.
There’s been talks. It’s possible… But as of right now, everything is going great, and I feel good. Working hard every day and I can’t wait for 2026.
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Gibbons said: “All the stories are out there, and Rolly Romero is one of the frontrunners, because Manny wants meaningful fights.
“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.
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“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.”
