News broke Monday that Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao will head into a rematch 11 years on from their first encounter.
The fight between two of the biggest names in boxing lands at The Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 19, on Netflix.
Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) will make his first professional appearance in nine years, following his tenth-round stoppage victory over MMA star Conor McGregor. Meanwhile, Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) returned to professional boxing in 2025, with ringside experts — including Boxing Social — critical of a majority-decision draw that seemingly favored Mario Barrios in a WBC welterweight world title fight.
The Filipino superstar had previously spent four years inactive following a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas.
Age is not on either man’s side as the pair gear up for a second collision on Sept. 19. Mayweather turned 49 today, Tuesday, while Pacquiao is 47 years old.
Famed trainer-turned-pundit Teddy Atlas gave his prediction on the bout on his YouTube channel, THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas.
“I made a chart of advantages and disadvantages,” Atlas said. “Age? I’ve got it even. They each get a check. They are both old. That’s number one.
“Number two is, who’s got less miles on the old dromedary? Because of the defensive style of Mayweather, I gave a check to Mayweather having the edge there.
“Reflexes, timing, and other boxing elements? I gave the check to Pacquiao. At least he’s had one real fight against Barrios recently.”
“Yes, Mayweather is fresher, but inactivity could affect his timing.”
“Power? The guy who has been the naturally bigger puncher — not the naturally bigger man — so that equals it out a little bit. The naturally bigger man was always Mayweather, but the naturally bigger puncher was always Pacquiao. He gets a check.
“Speed? Mayweather — always fast, always smooth, always fluid. Pacquiao, always tremendous hand and foot speed. I give them both the check.
“Defense? The reason Mayweather could fight so long is because he’s been a wizard — a defensive magician in the ring. Pacquiao gets hit more, but he’s always been a good defensive fighter. Mayweather is the man there.
“Conditioning? Floyd lives clean. He always seems to be in shape and is never far off his weight. Pacquiao is the only one who has had a serious camp recently with the Barrios fight. I give him a slight edge. Check for him.
“X-factors? It’s a rematch. Floyd won the first fight. He has to have a little edge mentally in terms of confidence and belief.”
Both men have taken part in numerous exhibition bouts since stepping away from full-time competition, but their upcoming rematch will require far greater preparation and professionalism.
Atlas finished: “The pick? The style of Mayweather could still be a problem for Pacquiao. But again, Pacquiao has been the only one in there with a real fight recently. I know the boxing business — could it be that these promoters are already thinking about a trilogy? I don’t know, call me crazy. I’m going to call it a draw.”
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