It’s official, and the world is already debating the announcement like it’s 2015 all over again. On February 23, 2026, Netflix officially announced that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will, at last, face off against each other once more on September 19, 2026, eleven years after the two fighters’ highly touted yet disappointing “Fight of the Century.“
Netflix confirms Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao sequel fight
Needless to say, the initial reaction to the announcement of Mayweather-Pacquiao II was, of course, that it’s a money grab and a nostalgic fight between two fighters who are way past their prime. Yet the situation is not as black and white as that. First off, the venue is a big difference from the usual. Mayweather-Pacquiao II will take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and it will be the first-ever professional boxing match to take place in the venue. The 160,000-square-foot wraparound LED screen lining the interior of the venue ensures that every event that takes place in the venue is an experiment to begin with. While 2015 was the year of pay-per-view numbers, 2026 is the year of spectacle. In fact, Netflix executives openly talk about how they aim to “redefine the visual landscape” of the sport.
Second, it’s not an exhibition. This isn’t a bout against an influencer or a crossover personality, as was the case with Mayweather’s last two bouts. This is a real, official, and highly competitive boxing match with 50-0 on the line for the undefeated fighter. Moreover, Mayweather, now 49 years old, is rolling the dice on the very last thing that has been on his mind for the last five decades of his life: his record. Pacquiao, meanwhile, comes into this bout on the heels of a highly competitive majority draw and has made no bones about his aspirations of becoming the man to finally give Mayweather a “1” on his record.
Not to mention, there is the platform itself. The first fight cost viewers nearly $100 on pay-per-view. The second, meanwhile, will be free for the 200+ million viewers on Netflix globally. When one considers the boxing bouts that have been held over the past few years, featuring crossover athletes, Netflix is essentially rolling the dice on the idea that free and a little bit of nostalgia equate to a record-breaking viewership.
Of course, there is the matter of the two men, combined, having 96 years on the clock, which was used to refer to the fight as having been five years too late in 2015. In 2026, it is arguably a decade too late. However, that is not necessarily a bad thing for the two men, as it is no longer just about the footwork and the boxing itself.
