Eleven years passed before Mayweather-Pacquiao II crossed the line, and the wait created a plain reality in boxing: the rematch became a constant rumor until suddenly it became a real event.
World Boxing News has been following this story longer than most. The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao 2 rematch is the most covered rematch in the WBN archive, not because it was basic to predict, but because the demand for following the sport continued.
Now the second fight has been confirmed, the numbers are mounting and the first inevitable question is already emerging: If Manny Pacquiao wins, will it really be Mayweather-Pacquiao III?
Mathur points to Netflix’s response
Speaking exclusively to WBN, Jas Mathur was asked if there had been any discussions about a third fight if Pacquiao won.
“Many people thought that such a rematch would never happen, but now it has become the biggest story in sports. The response has been overwhelming,” Mathur revealed.
“The announcement marked Netflix’s biggest ever live sports moment on social media, generating over 149 million views worldwide in the first 24 hours alone and counting. This says everything about the level of interest and global demand.”
“As for the third fight, our total focus at the moment is on ensuring this event is at the highest level possible, and that is where we are focusing all of our energy and attention.
“But in boxing, when something so historic attracts the world’s attention in this way, you always remain open to what the future may hold.”
Which would actually start a trilogy
The commercial issue is obvious. The rivalry continues to attract attention on a level that boxing rarely achieves, and Netflix’s data underscores this reality.
A trilogy will only become realistic if Pacquiao wins or if the fight ends in a controversy that leaves the outcome truly debatable.
Another one-sided victory for Mayweather, especially if it ends with Pacquiao relying on injury explanations as was the case after 2015, would be a harder sell for the sport.
It would also send a warning to future legend fights trying to balance credibility with revenue.
Could Cinco De Mayo 2027 come into play
Boxing has a habit of revisiting senior rivalries when the audience is still present and the platform sees the advantages. Mathur’s answer did not commit anything, but it did not close the topic either.
If the numbers continue to make sense for Netflix and the rematch ends in a way that sparks discussion among the public, a third fight as early as Cinco de Mayo weekend 2027 won’t be impossible.
For now, the priority is to deliver Mayweather-Pacquiao II at the highest level.
After 11 years of waiting for chapter two, boxing knows better than to reject the possibility of chapter three.
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.
“I just don’t think they’re going to face the fire,” Hearn told iFL TV about Dana White and his company at Zuffa.
“You have years of catching, putting out fires and being bombarded with pellets and grenades to overcome this.
“I just don’t think they’ll be ready for the fire. You must be a little unwell.” [__] to do this. That’s what I do.”
Hearn also ridiculed White’s recent comments about boxing promotion and said the UFC president faces criticism now that he is in the boxing industry.
“He stank,” Hearn said.
“He’s not used to this. Don’t forget what we do, which is meeting people, giving interviews. But he had a narrative.
“He didn’t have anyone like that. That’s why he can’t do it and instead just says weird lyrics.”
Hearn later joked that White’s repeated comments about him actually helped escalate his visibility in the United States.
“I have to thank Dana White,” Hearn said.
“Every press conference he holds, he talks about me.
“I think there are people asking, ‘Who is this Eddie Hearn?’ Little Google, boss, Eddie Hearn.
Promoter Matchroom also rejected White’s recent claim that no promoter has staged more boxing events this year than Zuffa Boxing.
“The entire media audience responded, ‘Okay,’ and moved on to the next question,” Hearn said.
“Imagine if I said that. I would be fried by it in an instant.”
Hearn’s latest comments come as Zuffa Boxing continues to try to establish itself in the sport following months of public photos between White and several longtime boxing promoters.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers trustworthy coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
However, despite winning the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Benavidez expressed interest in returning to 175 pounds, where he still holds the WBC belt.
That would mean chasing unified champion Bivol, who must first defeat IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30.
The Russian hasn’t fought since he overtook Artur Beterbiev in February 2025, when he exacted revenge by majority decision and became the undisputed king.
Bivol then vacated the WBC title after deciding to undergo back surgery, which allowed Benavidez to be promoted from “interim” to full champion.
But rather than return to lithe heavyweight, Jones would prefer to see Benavidez test his skills at heavyweight, as he did against John Ruiz in 2003.
In a conversation with professional boxing fans, the pound-for-pound legend said that a fight with Oleksandr Usyk, who still holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, is the only fight that makes sense for him.
“This is the only fight for him right now and the only fight I want to see him in.
“You beat everyone in every other category, [so] go upstairs and fight Usyk. This is the best fight for him.”
— Professional boxing fans (@ProBoxingFans) May 14, 2026
While Benavidez has expressed a desire to challenge Usyk at heavyweight, he has said he won’t be ramping up his weight gain anytime soon and is therefore much more likely to receive his next assignment against Bivol.
It then remains to be seen whether Usyk will stay in the sport long enough to face the 29-year-old, which could end up fighting another heavyweight champion.
The weigh-ins quickly turned tense when Albright apparently sent a message directly to Davis during their bout.
“Be a professional,” Albright said in a recording later released by DAZN Boxing.
The lack of weight immediately sparked a backlash online, as Davis has dealt with weight issues before. Last year, Davis lost his WBO lightweight title after losing more than four pounds ahead of his scheduled defense against Edwin De Los Santos.
Friday also marked the second time Davis has failed to make weight in his last three fights.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum admitted that Davis was having difficulty gaining 140 pounds and suggested that the problem may still exist.
“Well, obviously he has issues at 140,” Arum told Fighthype. “The problem is the next category is seven pounds. That’s a gigantic difference.”
Arum also compared Friday’s setback to the loss of Davis, who was previously more than four pounds compact before his canceled fight with De Los Santos last year.
“It was inexcusable because he was five pounds overweight,” Arum said.
“He is now 0.1 weight off which he will improve and get down to 140 or less.”
Keyshawn was later asked by DAZN what he told Albright during Friday’s matchup.
“I didn’t say anything,” Davis said. “That’s what I do. I knock people out.”
When asked what kind of performance he expected in the rematch, Keyshawn gave a compact answer.
“An unexpected spectacle.”
There was already bad blood in the rematch after their first fight in October 2023 was later changed to a no-contest after Keyshawn tested positive for marijuana. Their original meeting initially resulted in Keyshawn winning by a majority vote.
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