Manny Pacquiao had a three-word message for Floyd Mayweather ahead of their planned rematch later this year.
The Filipino fighting icon told his American rival to “be a man” in footage Elie Seckbach captured on his YouTube channel.
The second fight has been wrought with problems through miscommunication and crossed wires.
Netflix announced the lucrative fight as a “once-in-a-generation” event that sees Mayweather “officially coming out of retirement” to put his unbeaten record on the line in an event the platform would stream to its 325+ million subscribers at no additional cost. It would all go down inside the state-of-the-art venue, The Sphere of Las Vegas.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” said Pacquiao, in a statement sent to Boxing Social at the time, referencing the best-selling bout of all-time — a 2015 fight Manny lost to Floyd by decision.
“The fans have waited long enough—they deserve this rematch, and it will be even bigger now that it will be streamed live globally on Netflix.
“I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him.”
Mayweather, unfazed, said: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result.”
But, within months, Mayweather’s message began to change. He said it was an exhibition rather than an official fight, and that there was nothing official about the site.
MP Promotions executive Jas Mathur indicated that these comments put Mayweather in breach of contract. Many involved in the event said the fight was for sure a fully sanctioned fist-fight rather than an exhibition. Mayweather had even received an advance.
As time progressed, it appeared Mayweather was right about one thing — the venue was not official. Reports suggested the T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena could be in play, instead. And the date might even be brought forward, from September, to August.
