Manny Pacquiao has cast doubt over Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s unbeaten legacy, claiming his longtime rival should not hold a perfect 50-0 record as talks of a rematch continue to circle.
The two first met in 2015, when Mayweather defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in Las Vegas in a fight that generated massive financial success but fell short of expectations inside the ring. Now, with a rematch reportedly backed by Netflix for later this year, uncertainty has grown after Mayweather appeared to reverse his stance on the initial announcement.
Speaking to Vibe, Pacquiao insisted the rematch is contractually agreed, while also pushing back against Mayweather’s self-proclaimed status as the greatest of all time. The Filipino legend pointed to the 2007 bout between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, arguing that the result should have gone the other way.
“I think the fight with Oscar De La Hoya, he lost it. Review it. I know what boxing is, and if you review and watch the fight, Floyd lost. Very clear, so watch that,” Pacquiao said.
Mayweather’s split decision win over De La Hoya in Las Vegas was a defining moment in his career, allowing him to capture the title and take over as boxing’s leading commercial attraction. The fight saw De La Hoya start strongly behind his jab and size, before Mayweather adjusted and produced more accurate work in the later rounds.
De La Hoya has since criticized Mayweather for not activating a rematch clause at the time, suggesting he avoided a second fight. Similar questions could now emerge again, as doubts continue to grow over whether the long-discussed Pacquiao rematch will actually take place.
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