The Filipino veteran says the current uncertainty surrounding their proposed rematch reminds him of the long time between 2010 and 2015, when several attempts to secure a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to finalize repeatedly broke down after it seemed close to completion.
Pacquiao said that period left a lasting impression and shaped how he views the latest round of negotiations.
“Before the last fight, we were dealing with him for about eight years. There were so many promises, and I think about all the times I signed a contract and thought this was the one,” said Manny Pacquiao. “It’s been at least five years, with a lot of alibis.”
Even after agreements are reportedly signed for a rematch in September, Pacquiao is not treating the fight as safe. Mayweather’s recent public comments describing the match as an exhibition and questioning the venue have caused new uncertainty.
By calling it an exhibition, Floyd is protecting his 50-0 legacy. If it’s just for fun, a loss doesn’t officially break his perfect record. Pacquiao is 47 and trying to stay fight-ready, which is much harder to maintain during a moving target date than for a younger fighter.
Mayweather has always been the one to dictate terms. Changing the venue or the rules at the eleventh hour is his way of reminding everyone who the A-side is.
Floyd is 49, and Manny is 47. Every month they delay, the casual fan’s interest wanes. However, Mayweather may believe that the will they/won’t they drama actually builds more hype for the eventual Netflix stream than a smooth, professional rollout would.
“He keeps changing his mind. You have to honor your commitment. This time there is no reason for alibis or excuses,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao’s frustration feels completely authentic, and frankly, it’s hard to blame him for being blunt. When he says there is “no reason for alibis or excuses,” he is essentially calling Floyd’s bluff in front of the whole world.
Manny focuses on his reputation as the people’s champion who fights anyone, anywhere. Calling out the “alibis” in public, he tries to box Floyd into a corner. He knows that if it comes through now, the public narrative will shift entirely to Mayweather, who is the one who eschewed a legitimate professional rematch in favor of a low-risk exhibition.
For years, the apology narrative actually followed Pacquiao. Remember the shoulder injury talk after the 2015 fight?. By using that particular word, “alibis,” he effectively flips the script. He positions himself as the veteran who has grown beyond the drama, while implying that Floyd is still trapped in the same manipulative patterns he used a decade ago.
It feels like Manny is done with the dance partner routine. He puts the ball in Floyd’s court: show up for a real fight at The Sphere or admit to the world that the “TBE” (The Best Ever) moniker comes with a few conditions.
