Romwel Anzures

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Handout photo.

Article (news)

Mon Rodelas

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17719290502935.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Handout photo. MANILA — Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday confirmed a long-awaited rematch against undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., set for September 19 in Las Vegas, saying it will be a “real fight” and not an exhibition.</div>Pacquiao expressed excitement over the opportunity to redeem himself and once again represent the Philippines on the global stage more than a decade after their first matchup.“Excited that, may chance tayo to redeem yung pangalan natin, makabawi tayo,” he said, noting that the more than three months of preparation will allow him to commit fully to rigorous training.“We have enough time to prepare, to work hard. Minimum of three and a half months makapag-prepare tayo. I’m so excited to work hard, to train hard. Back to work,” Pacquiao added.He confirmed that he will reunite with longtime trainers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez in Los Angeles.“Walang pagbabago. Kailangan lang ng motivation. nandiyan pamilya kong nagbibigay ng motivation sa akin,” he said. “This is not an exhibition. This is a real fight. Matagal ko nang gustong mag-rematch. Siya lang naman ang hinihintay natin.”Pacquiao reflected on their first fight 11 years ago, insisting he performed better.“Kung CompuBox ang pag-uusapan natin, i-review natin, mas marami akong natama kaysa sa kaniya,” he said.Adding flavor to the match, the Filipino legend also questioned Mayweather’s claim as the “greatest of all time,” pointing out that more than 15 fighters have retired undefeated.“Ang tanong ko is which part can he claim that he is the greatest? To be the greatest is not based on being defeated and undefeated,” Pacquiao said. “At least ako I can claim being 8-division champion, the hardest accomplishment in boxing, and the only one to win championships in 4 different decades. ‘90s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020.”In addition, Pacquiao stressed that the fight in September will count on both fighters’ records.“This is a real fight. Kasama ito sa magiging record namin. Kung panalo ka, panalo ka. Kung talo ka, talo ka,” he said. “May chance pa tayo ipakita ’yung kaya natin.”Meanwhile, the boxing icon framed the rematch as a source of inspiration for young athletes, highlighting discipline as the key to success.“Disiplina lang. Importante yan. Magandang inspirasyon na maibigay natin para sa mga young athletes,” he said, before dedicating the fight to the country and the Filipino people.“Pagdating sa bansa natin, magkaisa tayo. Hindi dapat tayo magkahiwalay. Para ito sa ating lahat, kapayapaan, katahimikan. Ilan libong buhay binigay ng ating mga ninuno para magkaroon tayo ng democracy at kapayapaan. Hindi naman tayo naghahanap ng away. We want peace, we want friends,” he said.To keep himself in peak form, Pacquiao revealed he will undergo a long and intensive training camp, citing motivation, discipline, and inspiration as his formula for success.He is also slated to have an exhibition fight in April, earlier reports stating it will be against Ruslan Provodnikov at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center in Las Vegas, as part of his preparations for the September showdown.

Beyond the rivalry, Pacquiao framed the fight as a source of inspiration for young athletes, stressing that discipline remains the key to success.

Beyond the rivalry, Pacquiao framed the fight as a source of inspiration for young athletes, stressing that discipline remains the key to success.

Boxing: Pacquiao eyes redemption in ‘real fight’ rematch vs. Mayweather

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Boxing: Pacquiao eyes redemption in ‘real fight’ rematch vs. Mayweather

Mon Rodelas,

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 24, 2026 07:00 PM PHT

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ABSSports

Manny Pacquiao

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao-Mayweather 2

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