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.