Floyd Mayweather provided a long-overdue update on his rematch with Manny Pacquiao.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the two boxing icons would renew their money-making rivalry by going head-to-head in a professional rematch. Pacquiao last competed in paid fights in 2025, after drawing with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. However, Mayweather retired in 2017 and has since shown no desire to put his 50-0 record on the line.

Even though Netflix confirmed the fight, Mayweather poured frosty water on the plans, insisting it would be an exhibition instead. Pacquiao’s side responded that the comments were contrary to what had already been agreed and that binding contracts were in place.

While the feud continued behind the scenes, Mayweather was also busy preparing for an event against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis.

As reported by ESPN’s Andreas Hale, at the official press conference for the fight, Mayweather commented positively on the Pacquiao rematch and said it was on track to be fully finalized within two days.

Floyd Mayweather said the Pacquiao fight is “close to the finish line” and he believes it will be over in the next 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/H7nvoCps11

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) May 7, 2026

What was negotiated after the initial announcement remains unclear, but given Pacquiao’s insistence that the fight would be a professional fight and his disinterest in the exhibition, it appears that the American – who won his first fight in 2015 by unanimous decision – now agrees to those terms again.

Given that The Sphere will no longer be hosting and that recent reports suggest the fight will be fast-tracked if Mayweather’s words prove true, there will be a novel announcement with updated details. Perhaps this time it will be written in stone.

Edgar Berlanga revisited both his loss to Hamzah Sheeraz and his fight with Saul Alvarez during a lengthy interview, insisting he still believes “something was wrong” in the Sheeraz fight while revealing the trash talk he exchanged with Canelo in the ring.

Berlanga said he immediately felt something unusual during the Sheeraz fight and said the punches were not normal compared to what he experienced against Canelo.

“A thousand percent. I knew something was wrong, brother. I knew when it happened, I knew something was wrong,” Berlanga said Danza project. “When the lights were on and I was just sitting in the corner, I was like, ‘Damn, bro.’ I’m training my ass off for this fight. I did a 10-week camp. I was in the best shape of my life. That shot didn’t look like a punch. I’ve been boxing for 22 years. You know if it was a punch or something, bro. But no excuses. I take my losses for what they are. I just gotta get it back on. I know it’s We will repeat it.”

Berlanga then compared the experience to what he felt during the Canelo fight, saying the Mexican star’s punches were completely different.

“You saw with Canelo, Canelo hits strenuous,” Berlanga said. “You’ll find out. When Canelo hit me, yes, I was injured at the moment, but I shook it off while we were still getting along. Me and him were talking madly in the ring. I told him, ‘You hit like a female dog.’ He told me, ‘My son hits harder than you.’ We went back and forth. I connected him and spoke to him in Spanish. It was like Kobe fighting Michael Jordan.

Berlanga also rejected the notion that he excused Sheeraz’s loss, saying he fully accepted his loss to Canelo but believed the circumstances of the Sheeraz match were different.

“Canelo beat me fair and square. He’s got a lot more experience than me. He beat me. But that’s different shit, man, I’m like, ‘Yo, bro, come on, man.'”

The interview comes as Berlanga prepares for the next phase of his Zuffa Boxing career after signing with Dana White’s up-to-date promotional venture earlier this year.

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 authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.

Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter

Related boxing news:

Last update: 2026/05/07 at 18:40

In September, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez hopes to regain his world title after last year’s loss to Terence Crawford, but he warned it won’t be an effortless task.

Crawford moved up two divisions and delivered a disciplined, clever performance, defeating Canelo in twelve rounds, becoming the undisputed three-weight champion and cementing his position as one of the best fighters of his era.

For Alvarez, the loss marked the end of his dominance at 168 pounds with this, he won all four major world titles and established himself as a leading force in the division. While remaining competitive throughout, Crawford’s timing, movement and adaptability consistently hampered the Mexican star, who struggled to impose his usual pressure and punch combinations.

Crawford’s subsequent retirement dispersed the super middleweight belts and presented Canelo with a recent path back to the top. The Mexican icon has confirmed that he plans to return on September 12 against reigning WBC champion Christian Mbilla in Saudi Arabia.

Before he became champion, Mbilli proved to be one of the most hazardous contenders in the division and brought an undefeated record, aggressive style and growing momentum to the fight. His promoter, Camille Estephan, calls it “reaching” the top.

“I’ll tell you how it happens! Many say that Mbilli is the perfect style for Canelo… Christian comes in brutal and relentless. This is not a show. This is an arrival!”

A victory will not only raise Mbilla’s profile overnight, but will also cement his status as champion. He was promoted from interim to full champion when Crawford was stripped of the WBC belt, retaining the interim belt with a draw against Lester Martinez in September.

For Canelo, this means an immediate opportunity to regain his world title and prove that even after a major defeat, he remains a central figure in boxing’s elite. How the fight develops will be of great importance in the final chapter of his career.