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Manny Pacquiao will (probably) get a second chance

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Author: Sean Crose

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Floyd Mayweather would face main rival Manny Pacquiao in a professional boxing match at the Sphere in Law Vegas. It was also announced that the fight would be streamed live on Netflix. A tiny time later, groans of frustration could be heard online when Mayweather said the fight would not, in fact, be a professional match. Moreover, Mayweather said that the fight would not be professional. “We signed a real fight,” Pacquiao said in response to . “I think he’s afraid of losing.”

All of this can of course be attributed to mind games. Mayweather is eminent for gaining a mental advantage over his opponents. However, if this happens, it’s clearly irritating for more than just Pacquaio’s team. Netflix and The Sphere have a lot to do with this rematch. What if it’s more than just mind games? What is it really about Mayweather who wants to make the fight an unprofessional affair – one where there is no winner or loser?

“He can’t back out of this contract,” Pacquiao said. “This is the most essential fight of my career.” And that’s what Pacquiao is all about – another attack on Mayweather. Their first fight was considered a disappointment, but it wasn’t as bad as fans made it out to be. Mayweather basically dominated thanks to Mayweather’s classic defensive play, but it wasn’t effortless for Pacquiao. There’s no doubt that a second round between these two men is an intriguing proposition, especially when people realize that they won’t have to shell out a hundred or so dollars to watch the match live like they did in the first match. If this fight does end in failure, expect Netflix to come in gigantic numbers.

Here’s an intriguing note, though: Pacquiao has much less to lose if Mayweather should beat him a second time than Mayweather does if Pacquiao wins. Think about it. Had Pacquiao won, Mayweather’s aura – the air of stylistic invincibility that Mayweather had carried with him for over a decade – would have crumbled at his feet. In some ways, Mayweather is a victim of his own success… even now, about a decade after his prime. Conor McGregor was never really a threat to Mayweather, but Manny Pacquiao, even the older Manny Pacquiao, was.

Still, it’s good to remember that Mayweather was and is a competitor. Despite what some may claim, Mayweather was one of the greatest fighters in history in his prime. We’re talking about the top ten here. A man like that doesn’t want to fade into the sunset without a chance to get the money, glory and accolades of fighting Manny Pacquiao a second time. And such a man certainly doesn’t want to be remembered for avoiding his main rival. So yes, the chances are high that Manny and Floyd will face off again, this time on Netflix.

So Pacquiao has reasons to be positive. He must be delighted to have the opportunity to fight Mayweather again. Pacquiao must also be a bit surprised that there will (probably) be a rematch. It’s been over a decade since he and Floyd shared a ring. Ten years. Hope for a rematch must have slowly faded for Pacquiao over the last decade or so. How could it not? But now Pacquiao is here with a signed contract that will see him face Mayweather again. Boxing is indeed the strangest of all sports.

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Boxing

Osleys Churches Respond to Charles Adames Combat Claims

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Image: Osleys Iglesias fires back after Carlos Adames says “I’m ready”

Carlos Adames said he can beat anyone at middleweight and super middleweight, but the statement was met with immediate backlash from newly crowned IBF super middleweight champion Osleys Iglesias. After Adames announced he was ready to fight, the undefeated Cuban responded on social media, calling for the fight to go ahead.

The exchange began when Carlos Adames stated that no one at 160 or 168 pounds could beat him. The fan quickly challenged him to fight Iglesias, one of the most hazardous names in the super middleweight division.


“Who are you? What I do in the ring confirms what I say here. Whenever you want, I’m ready to prove it to you,” Adames said in X.

That was met with a direct response from Iglesias (15-0, 14 KO), who is coming off an eighth-round victory over Pavel Silyagin and gained traction at 168 pounds after winning the IBF title.

“Enough talking. Let’s get on the same page and take the fight to the next level. I’m waiting for your call. My team is ready. I’m waiting for you,” said Osleys Iglesias.

Adames holds the middleweight title while Iglesias is one division above, so any fight would require one side to advance. This alone makes it more sedate than a routine online argument.

This exchange with Iglesias bears all the hallmarks of a potential bluff by Adames. Iglesias is now viewed by many as the 168-pound boss who stopped Pavel Silyagin in the eighth round just two weeks ago.

He’s a powerful southpaw with a 93% knockout rate, which isn’t usually the type of guy a champion fights unless he’s 100% sedate or looking for a huge payday.

Fans will soon find out if this was Adames’ social media stunt if he starts demanding a catchweight fight with Iglesias or tells him to drop down to 160 pounds. If he tells IBF 168-pound champion Iglesias to back off, he will simply be looking for a way out. It will be a foregone conclusion if he stays on X and does not lead to official negotiations between Adames’ promoters at PBC and Iglesias’ team.

The southpaw Iglesias is essentially a airy heavyweight who can reach 168 pounds and would also have significant height and an advantage over Adames. If Adames is sedate, he’s taking one of the toughest routes possible to make a super middleweight debut.

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Last updated: 23/04/2026 at 10:29

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Boxing

Ryan Garcia Says He Only Wants to Fight One Man Next: ‘I Don’t Want Anyone Else’

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Ryan Garcia says he only wants to face one man next: “I don’t want anybody else”

Ryan Garcia has been linked with a number of opponents for his next appearance, but he insists he is only targeting one fighter.

After many years as one of the biggest names in the sport, Garcia finally became world champion in February posted a dominant unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he won the WBC welterweight title.

Since that victory, rumors have circulated that “King Ry” would return against several different opponents, including WBO champion Devin Haney, WBA champion Rolly Romero and two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez.

For one reason or another, all of these fights fell through, and in recent weeks a recent favorite has emerged to fight Garcia, after British star Conor Benn defeated Regis Prograis at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this month.

Following the victory, Benn immediately called out “King Ry” for a world title match, and Garcia was quick to respond as a war of words began between the two fighters.

In the recent movie captured by Fight Hub TVGarcia has now ruled out fighting anyone else and says Benn is the only person he wants to face.

“I can’t wait, man. It’ll be August. [I don’t want] Nobody [else]. I just want Conor.”

Benn is ranked No. 1 in the WBC welterweight rankings, so a clash with “King Ry” seemed like a formality, although Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, revealed a potential obstacle to that fight.

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Boxing

Prince Naseem Hamed denies 70% doping claims

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Image: Naseem Hamed reacts to claim 70% of boxers are doping

While talking about failed drug tests in boxing, host Simon Jordan cited an earlier estimate by panelist Spencer Oliver, who suggested the number could be as high as 70 percent. Hamed immediately disputed this statement.

“That’s a tough statement,” Hamed told talksport Boxing when the number was repeated during the episode.

“The same applies to me personally. Don’t take it personally. It’s like destroying the players, 70% of them,” Hamed said.

It was vintage “Naz” stuff, seeing him come out waving to players like that. He has always been devoted to the craft and clearly sees the 70% result as a slap in the face to the guys who live neat and do grueling work.

Oliver responded that this was his opinion based on repeated failed tests and suspicions surrounding the sport, not evidence against specific names. Hamed was not convinced and said that charges should only be brought when the militant was actually caught.

“You can’t accuse any single person unless he or she has been caught,” Hamed said.

Hamed’s point about “destroying” warriors is the most compelling part of his argument. When someone like Spencer Oliver comes up with a huge number, like 70%, it creates a lasting cloud of suspicion.

This means that even if a player delivers a legendary, career-defining performance, the first thing some fans will do is look for a reason to discredit him. For a legend like Hamed, this is an insult to the discipline required in this sport.

Hamed is the guy who shows me the bills. By insisting that no one can be charged until they are caught, he seeks to maintain some level of due process. In his eyes, if you have failed the VADA or UKAD exam, you are a pure athlete. Period.

What’s captivating is that Hamed doesn’t take it lightly. While supporting strict accountability policies, he says people should not be labeled as fraudsters without evidence. If the test comes back positive, you own it, regardless of tainted meat or supplement excuses.

This is an truthful position. He wants to protect the reputation of good actors in sports while making sure the hammer continues to fall on anyone caught breaking the rules.

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