Jas Mathur’s response on social media today to Mayweather’s withdrawal was blunt: “Men lie, women lie, binding agreements that are not executed.” This indicates that a contract exists that expressly defines the match as a professional match. If Netflix, who reportedly announced the February 2026 fight, is the broadcast partner, they’ve likely signed on for a “real” fight to justify the massive production costs associated with The Sphere.
Mayweather said over the weekend that the event was an exhibition and that the location had yet to be determined. The two positions do not match. One side points to a signed fight. The other describes a non-sanctioned event.
Mathur’s statement casts the event as a professional competition, which will require sanctions and official oversight. Mayweather’s version removes those elements and treats the event as a showcase.
Floyd spent 30 years building the “TBE” (The Best Ever) brand. Losing to Pacquiao at age 49, even if it’s 11 years too late, would be a huge dent in that armor. By muddying the waters now, he’s likely trying to force a renegotiation or a reclassification of the fight to ensure he can walk away with his “0” intact regardless of the outcome.
The problem for Floyd is that the Nevada State Athletic Commission and a global giant like Netflix usually don’t deal in “maybe” or “unofficial.” If the paperwork says professional, the ref will count.
The original announcement: In late February, reports (including those from Mike Coppinger) indicated that Netflix and MP Promotions had a signed deal for a professional match at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Mayweather’s change of direction: Over the weekend, while in Las Vegas for the Fundora vs. Thurman event, Floyd spoke to Vegas Sports Today and stated bluntly, “It’s not really a fight, it’s an exhibition.” He even suggested that the venue was not 100% locked.
Mathur, the CEO of MP Promotions, did not wait long to conclude this story. By posting “Men lie, women lie, executed binding agreements do not,” he is essentially telling the world that Floyd’s signature is already on a contract that says “Professional Fight.”
Netflix wants “Must-See” TV. A professional game where the record of 50-0 is on the line creates real tension. An exhibition is just content, something people might watch in the background, but not something they’ll clear their Saturday night for.
The goal here is to convert boxing fans into long-term Netflix subscribers. If the fight isn’t sanctioned, the perceived value of Netflix’s sports division takes a hit right out of the gate.
The Sphere is marketed as the most advanced venue in the world. Using that level of technology for a glorified sparring match feels like using a Ferrari to go to the grocery store.
