Manny Pacquiao is turning up the pressure on Floyd Mayweather as their long-awaited rematch approaches, openly questioning his rival’s legacy while pointing to the financial stakes surrounding the fight.
In a recent interview with Vibe, Pacquiao made it clear he believes the bout is locked in — and that Mayweather has no room to back out. “We both signed the agreement. We both signed the contract, and we both received an advance for that fight,” Pacquiao said, emphasizing that the deal is already in motion.
He added that there’s “no reason” the fight should fall apart, reinforcing earlier claims from his team that Mayweather has already accepted upfront money tied to the matchup.
Pacquiao didn’t stop there. When addressing Mayweather’s long-standing “TBE” (The Best Ever) claim, he pushed back directly, questioning what separates Mayweather from other undefeated fighters. “There are a lot of fighters who retired undefeated,” Pacquiao said. “If you’re proclaiming yourself to be a G.O.A.T., in which part can you claim that you’re the only one?”
He pointed instead to his own accomplishments, including being the only boxer to win world titles in eight weight divisions and across four different decades.
The comments arrive as Mayweather and Pacquiao prepare for a rematch originally scheduled for September 19 and expected to stream on Netflix. Their first fight in 2015 was one of the highest-grossing events in boxing history, ending in a decision victory for Mayweather.
Pacquiao has long maintained that he entered that bout with a shoulder injury and has framed the rematch as an opportunity to revisit unfinished business.
Pacquiao’s camp has also been vocal about the contractual side of the fight. Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, reiterated that Mayweather is obligated to follow through, citing signed agreements and advance payments. “He needs to step in the ring,” Mathur said, adding that Mayweather has already received money tied to the event.
The renewed tension comes as Mayweather deals with a growing list of legal and financial issues. In recent months, a $7.3 million IRS tax lien has been filed against him, along with multiple lawsuits over alleged unpaid rent, jewelry purchases, and other debts.
He has also been involved in disputes related to private jet services and prior business dealings, while simultaneously filing his own lawsuit seeking more than $340 million in unpaid fight earnings.
