Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao says fight against Floyd Mayweather ‘not an exhibition’
American stunned boxing world this week when he said their long-awaited rematch was for show only, but Filipino says ‘it is a real fight’
Manny Pacquiao’s planned September fight with Floyd Mayweather will not be an exhibition, the Philippine boxing legend said on Thursday, days after his fellow hall of famer said their bout would be strictly entertainment.
Netflix last month announced a long-awaited rematch of the highest-grossing clash in boxing history, with Pacquiao and Mayweather – now both in their late forties – set to clash at the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 19.
“It’s an exhibition, so we’re both winners,” Mayweather said in an interview with Vegas Sports Today. “We just want to go out there and entertain the people and put on a good show.”
On Friday, Pacquiao begged to differ.
“I want to be very clear that the contract we signed is for a professional boxing match. This is not an exhibition; it is a real fight,” he said in a statement.