Boxing
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2: Aged Pro superfight in doubt
Published
7 months agoon
Floyd Mayweather has cast doubt on his professional rematch with Manny Pacquiao, questioning the superfight’s “pro” status and leaving fans and promoters uncertain about when it will take place.
While the fight was previously billed as a fully sanctioned September fight at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Mayweather’s latest statements introduce uncertainty.
Jas Mathur talks to WBN
World Boxing News spoke with Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions and executive producer of the event, who explained why a rematch became possible at this point.
“A no-brainer,” Mathur told WBN. “Having worked with both fighters and now working with Manny as General Manager of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, I had a truly unique situation where I was able to aid ensure that this fight would be an ideal situation for each of them.”
He emphasized the level of coordination required behind the scenes: “You need full commitment from both sides – both players, teams, advisors and business partners. Months of tardy nights, early mornings and back-to-back conversations are required before anything is made public, and that’s before Netflix secures the broadcast rights or addresses Floyd’s retirement.”
“It’s a special honor that this is the first boxing match at The Sphere, but booking a seat isn’t simple.”
Mayweather has since completely denied the last line of that quote by Mathur to WBN.
The infrastructure made the fight possible
In a separate article exclusive to WBN, Mathur explained how the event evolved from speculation to structured reality. He cited compatibility between producers, streaming, promotional teams and both fighters’ camps as a key factor.
“EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire Film Group, Limitless X Holdings, key members of the Floyd and Manny teams, and Netflix executives worked together to make this happen.”
Mathur said. “It was never about one person – it was a collective effort. We came together with a shared vision to create something truly historic.”
Mayweather creates doubt
Despite Mathur’s assurances, Mayweather told reporters in Las Vegas that the fight was not technically a professional fight yet and that its venue had not yet been confirmed.
He told reporters, including Vegas Today: “And it’s not actually a fight, it’s an exhibition. It’s an exhibition, so we’re both winners. I mean, we just want to go out there, entertain people and put on a good show.”
“Right now, we don’t know exactly where the fight will take place. The Sphere is one of the places they’ve been talking about, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
The comments contradict previous wording of a fully sanctioned professional rematch taking place on September 19, introducing novel uncertainty for fans who had been anticipating an official fight.
Mayweather would also maintain his 50-0 record, significantly reducing the demand for a spectacle that could see the legend drop to 50-1 after a nine-year hiatus.
While the event is considered historic and broadcast worldwide on Netflix, Mayweather’s remarks now leave the status of the superfight in question.
Looking to the future
As Mathur highlighted coordination and infrastructure as factors that ultimately made the rematch possible and Mayweather publicly expressed doubts, fans and industry insiders remain on edge.
It is unclear whether the rematch will be a sanctioned professional fight or whether it will turn into an entertainment-focused event.
Updates on event venue confirmation and official sanctions are expected in the coming weeks.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
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Boxing
Lester Martinez Aims for Canelo Alvarez with BoMacs Support
Published
2 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Lester Martinez would give Canelo Alvarez a dangerous first defense of his reclaimed WBC super middleweight title. The aggressive Guatemalan can punch and has Brian “BoMac” McIntyre in his corner, giving him access to the trainer who helped Terence Crawford beat Canelo.
“My dream now is to fight Canelo because he’s the champion,” Martinez said to Izquierdazo Boxeo in a quote shared by The Ring. His WBC interim title gives that ambition substance, although it does not establish that Canelo has been ordered to face him next.
The McIntyre connection makes this more interesting than another contender requesting a payday. BoMac knows what went into preparing Crawford for Canelo and could bring that knowledge into Martinez’s camp. The WBC lists McIntyre as Martinez’s trainer. wbcboxing.com
Crawford could also offer firsthand advice about Canelo’s timing, counterpunching and habits under pressure. His involvement in a potential camp has not been announced, but Martinez would have an obvious reason to seek his stablemate’s input.
Mbilli took too long to alter his approach when Canelo’s jab and head movement disrupted his pressure last weekend. He continued following Canelo without consistently changing how he attacked. Martinez would likely arrive expecting those tactics, with McIntyre preparing ways to get past the jab and vary his attack.
That would not make Lester immune to Canelo’s counters. It could, however, reduce the rounds spent trying to work out what to do next. BoMac could prepare alternatives before the opening bell and help Martinez adjust between rounds when Canelo starts frustrating him.
Martinez would still need to win with his own tools. He cannot copy Crawford’s performance. His route would involve sustained pressure, body punching and enough variation to prevent Canelo from anticipating each attack.
His 2025 draw with Mbilli gives him a relevant result against the man Canelo just defeated. Beating Canelo is another matter, but an aggressive puncher arriving with informed preparation would be a serious undertaking for the 36-year-old champion.
Boxing
Tyson Fury Unleashes Wilder KO Strategy to Overcome Anthony Joshua
Published
2 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Tyson Fury is going back to the playbook behind his most destructive night. He is targeting 280 pounds when he meets Anthony Joshua on December 11 in Cardiff. He wants the crushing bulk that battered Deontay Wilder years ago. Scaling up to that number on the scales is easy. Recreating that vintage menace nearly seven years later is a totally different story.
Fury announced his intentions directly to his fans online. “Big boy 280lbs incoming,” he posted. “Not your average build. However, the love handles are used for energy.” He already promised a blistering pace out of the gate, followed by a quick stoppage.
Back in February 2020, Fury stepped on the scale at 273 pounds before stopping Wilder in round seven. That was Fury at his peak as an aggressive bruiser. He bullied Wilder backward. He draped his weight over the champion, forcing him to haul around all that mass. Wilder could never find the space needed to trigger his lethal right hand.
Every single pound had a purpose back then because Fury used his bulk masterfully. He smothered Wilder immediately after throwing punches. He disrupted every attempt to recover. He kept trapping Wilder in corners where mounting any counter was nearly impossible. It was relentless physical pressure from a guy focused on total control.
Joshua is a distinct challenge, yet the logic makes total sense. Giving Joshua breathing room allows him to set his feet to unleash heavy shots. Chasing him down can trigger panic before his offense even starts. Fury would immediately test Joshua’s nerves under fire.
The big worry is the condition of those 280 pounds. Fury reached 281 pounds for the rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, looking soft around the waist. That outing provided zero evidence that piling on weight makes him more dangerous.
To handle Joshua, Fury needs agile footwork to cut off escape routes. He needs sharp reflexes to slip incoming fire. He needs enough gas in the tank to keep pressing once the initial charge fades. If Joshua survives that opening assault, the extra pounds could become a heavy burden as the rounds accumulate.
Fury picked a blueprint with real history. Replicating the monster who conquered Wilder is the real challenge.
Boxing
Shakur Stevenson Analyzes Canelos Decision Victory Over Christian Mbilli for WBC Title
Published
9 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Canelo Alvarez returned to the super-middleweight throne with a decision victory over Christian Mbilli on Saturday, and when summarising the performance, pound-for-pound star Shakur Stevenson made his thoughts on the display extremely clear.
At 36-years-old, off the back of both the longest inactive streak of his career and a defeat last time out, Canelo entered the Riyadh ring with many fight fans doubting whether the career of the Mexican superstar was nearing the end.
However, the four-division world champion instead recaptured the WBC super-middleweight title as he handed Mbilli a first career defeat.
Canelo’s experience, ring IQ and accuracy ultimately proving to be too much for the French-Cameroonian champion as he won a unanimous decision with scores of 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110.
That performance has once again made Alvarez the man to beat in the 168lb scene, with each of his fellow world titleholders at the weight desperate to secure a lucrative unification opportunity on his mooted spring 2027 return.
Speaking shortly after witnessing the win, reigning WBO super-lightweight champion Stevenson took to X to praise the efforts of Canelo both on the night and across his career as a whole, labelling the veteran as both a ‘GOAT’ and a ‘legend’.
Canelo is a 🐐, Respect legend!! @canelo
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 1, 2026
“Canelo is a [GOAT]Respect legend!!! @canelo”
As far as what is next for Alvarez, it seems as though he will fight again in in either April or May for the final bout of his four-fight contract with Riyadh Season.
At present, Hamzah Sheeraz would likely be deemed as the frontrunnerif Terence Crawford refuses to comeback for the rematch.
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