Renowned boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao might reignite their famed rivalry, with whispers of a possible rematch potentially headlining a significant Netflix event slated for 2026.

Pacquiao, now at 46, returned to the ring in July after a four-year break, engaging in a much-anticipated contest against Mario Barrios that concluded in a draw, with the WBC welterweight title at stake.

In contrast, Mayweather, who is 48, hasn’t participated in a professional fight since his 2017 TKO victory over Conor McGregor. Despite this, he has stayed active with a series of exhibition matches involving opponents like Logan Paul and John Gotti III.

The Ring Magazine indicates that negotiations are underway to see Mayweather and Pacquiao face off once more, rekindling a rivalry that once captivated the global sports community.

This potential matchup would allow two of the most celebrated fighters of their era to revisit their rivalry, 11 years after their historic clash in May 2015.

Boxing icons Floyd Mayweather Jr (pictured left) and Manny Pacquiao (pictured right) may be on course to rekindle their legendary rivalry

Reports are suggesting a potential rematch could headline a major Netflix event in 2026

Pacquiao, now 46 years old, ended his four-year hiatus from the sport in July, battling Mario Barrios to a draw in a highly-anticipated bout that had the WBC welterweight title up for grabs

Their initial meeting at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena was heralded as ‘The Fight of the Century.’ After numerous negotiation hurdles, fans finally saw the two pound-for-pound titans collide in the ring.

Many fans felt the long-awaited showdown arrived too late, with both fighters past their physical peak by the time they finally met. Nevertheless, they still tuned in for what followed.  

Mayweather, then 38, used his trademark defence, precision counterpunching, and ring generalship to neutralise Pacquiao’s aggressive style, earning a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards: 118–110, 116–112, and 116–112. 

While Mayweather’s performance was hailed by purists as a defensive masterclass, some fans criticised the bout for its lack of sustained action. 

Although, it was later revealed that Pacquiao had suffered an injury to his right shoulder ‘three to four weeks’ before the fight took place. 

He was said be having inflammatory injections prior to the bout, but was denied a shot on the eve of the biggest fight of his career. 

Nonetheless, the fight shattered pay-per-view records, generating more than $400million in revenue and cementing both men’s status as global icons of the sport. 

The rumoured rematch comes amid Netflix’s growing push into live sports broadcasting. The streaming giant made headlines earlier this year with the announcement of its first live boxing event, headlined by Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, 48, hasn’t fought professionally since defeating Conor McGregor by TKO in 2017 but has kept busy with a series of exhibition bouts

Mayweather had been linked to an exhibition match with Mike Tyson. However, with no confirmed date for that encounter, fresh speculation suggests that he could face Pacquiao

Netflix later showcased Katie Taylor’s trilogy clash with Amanda Serrano, broadcasting the historic all-female card live from Madison Square Garden.

Mayweather, 48, had reportedly agreed to an exhibition bout with 59-year-old Tyson, though details on that event remain unconfirmed. The possibility of a Pacquiao sequel could either replace or postpone that matchup, depending on negotiations and scheduling.

While no official confirmation has been made, insiders suggest preliminary talks are taking place to bring both fighters and their promotional teams to the negotiating table. 

If finalised, the event would likely take place in Las Vegas – the same city that hosted their first showdown – though other major venues, including sites in the Middle East, are said to be under consideration.