Mayweather and Pacquiao met in one of boxing’s biggest ever fights in 2015 (Picture: Getty)
Manny Pacquiao has announced he is set to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr again in 2024, nine years on from their ‘Fight of the Century’.
The boxing legends finally met in the ring in May 2015 in what remains the biggest grossing boxing match of all-time.
Mayweather won the contest via an unanimous decision, unifying the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles in the process.
A rematch has been long discussed with Pacquiao, 45, appearing to confirm plans for that fight to take place next year.
Pacquiao entered the ring to address the crowd as a special guest at Rizin 45, an MMA event taking place in Japan on New Year’s Eve.
‘I hope to see you in Japan in a big fight against… Floyd Mayweather,’ Pacquiao said, after pausing to seemingly get permission to reveal his opponent. ‘I’m excited for that.’
Nobuyuki Sakakibara, president of RIZIN, also confirmed Mayweather vs Pacquiao II will take place on one of their cards. It remains to be seen whether it will be fought under professional or exhibition rules.
Mayweather dominated his old rival in 2015 (Picture: Getty)
Pacquiao officially retired from boxing in August 2021 after a bruising defeat to Yordenis Ugas.
Since then, he has returned to the ring for lucrative exhibition bouts, fighting Jesus Salud and martial artist DK Yoo in 2022. He has another lined up for April 2023 against Muay Thai and kickboxing icon Buakaw Banchamek in Bangkok.
The legendary Filipino fighter has also held discussions to fight old stablemate Amir Khan, who hung up his gloves last year.
Conor McGregor meanwhile has called him out amid the Dubliner’s delayed UFC return.
46-year-old Mayweather, who ended his professional career with victory over McGregor in 2017, has spent the last five years fighting on the exhibition circuit, fighting seven times across the globe.
His last bout, against John Gotti III in June this year, ended in a wild brawl in Florida.
Gotti III, the grandson of infamous mob boss John Gotti, continued to throw punches at Mayweather after the referee had declared the bout a no contest, prompting members of each team to enter the ring with fights also breaking out in the crowd and backstage.
Mayweather and Gotti III will meet again in February during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas.
MORE : Manny Pacquiao plans to fight at Paris 2024 as boxing legend targets Olympic gold medal at age 45
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It comes nine years on from their ‘Fight of the Century’.
