Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2: Bob Arum Comments on Potential Rematch

Floyd Mayweather handled Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in May 2015 during a highly anticipated fight that didn’t live up to the hype. While the undefeated Mayweather has since retired, there is speculation that he may come back for a rematch.

Promoter Bob Arum commented on the chances of another showdown, per the Associated Press, via ESPN.com: “I would say there is a possibility that a rematch happens, yes. How big a possibility that is, I can’t really measure.”

The Associated Press noted that “Mayweather helped stir speculation over the weekend by saying in a Showtime interview that he might be persuaded to come out of retirement if the money was big enough.”

According to the AP, the fight sold a record 4.6 million pay-per-views. However, it received “lousy reviews,” and Pac-Man said he was fighting with a shoulder injury after he lost.

In the months after the fight, Mayweather defeated Andre Berto with relative ease in September, and Pacquiao beat Timothy Bradley Jr. in April. The AP noted Pac-Man has retired as well, and he is running a campaign for the Senate in the Philippines, which would make training for another clash with Mayweather difficult.

During his Showtime interview, Mayweather said that “it would have to be a nine-figure payday” to lure him out of retirement (via the AP). He didn’t mention Pacquiao by name, but he is probably the only fighter who would help Mayweather sell enough paid views to reach that lofty sum.

Arum suggested as much, per the AP: “Obviously he’s coming back. And I can’t see him making the kind of money he’s talking about with anybody other than Manny.”

There is reason outside of the money to think a rematch could happen. Considering Pacquiao was dealing with a shoulder injury the first time around, an opportunity to fight Mayweather at full strength could intrigue him. As for Mayweather, another win over Pac-Man would eliminate any doubt over who the better fighter is.

Furthermore, the undefeated Mayweather is one victory away from surpassing Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 mark.

HBO’s Bill Simmons guessed how the marketing campaign would work for a second fight:

The AP pointed out that both fighters struggled at the box office in their subsequent bouts after facing each other. Arum discussed that and why a rematch would be ideal, per the AP: “If they fight anybody else, there's going to be that hangover. If they fight each other, people will be attracted to the fight. It won't do what the last fight did, but it might do 50 percent of the last fight.”

Mayweather won the first fight 118-110, 116-112, 116-112. It was a tactical display of brilliance, as he never let Pac-Man deliver any momentum-shifting blows.

Mayweather made a living with his speed, ability to avoid big punches and defensive prowess. It may not have been the slugfest that many casual boxing fans were hoping for, but it was difficult to deny Mayweather’s in-ring greatness after the bout.

It would be even more difficult if he were to win a rematch against the same boxer fans have compared him to for much of his career.