Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set for a highly anticipated rematch this September, more than ten years after their original encounter, dubbed the “Fight of the Century.” Netflix confirmed on Monday that it will stream the bout live from the Sphere in Las Vegas, marking the first professional boxing event to be held at the new venue.
The fight, scheduled for 19 September, has generated massive interest after Mayweather’s recent announcement that he would come out of retirement for one more contest. Both fighters are now in their late forties, yet the demand for a rematch has remained strong, fueled by the legacy of their 2015 showdown, which shattered financial records.
A history of record-breaking fights
The original fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, held in May 2015, remains the most lucrative in boxing history, with 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and over 600 million dollars in revenue. Mayweather, who won comfortably on points, earned around 300 million dollars from that single night.
“Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxing history,” said Pacquiao in a joint statement. “The fans have waited long enough, they deserve this rematch.”
Pacquiao, now 47, is determined to hand Mayweather his first loss on his professional record. “I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him,” Pacquiao said, emphasizing that the fight is not just about money but about national pride and glory for the Philippines.
Mayweather, who retired unbeaten with a 50-0 record in 2017, remains confident ahead of the rematch. “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will be the same result,” he said.
A new chapter for Netflix in live sports
The event also marks another major foray into live sports for Netflix, which has increasingly targeted high-profile occasions to boost its subscription base. The streaming platform’s venture into sports broadcasting began with events such as Formula 1’s “Drive to Survive” and continues to expand, with boxing providing a globally recognized draw.
The fight will be streamed live from the Sphere, a futuristic venue that opened in 2023, known for its immersive experience and wraparound interior screen. This will be the first professional boxing event at the Sphere, adding another layer of excitement to what promises to be a memorable occasion for sports fans worldwide.
While the fight itself is expected to generate significant interest, Netflix’s involvement further underscores the streaming service’s ambitions to become a key player in live sports broadcasting.
A clash of two boxing legends
Both fighters bring their own motivations into the ring. Mayweather, at 46, continues to assert his dominance in the sport, while Pacquiao seeks to add one final chapter to his storied career. As they prepare for the rematch, fans worldwide will eagerly watch to see if the “Fight of the Century” can be outdone by the sequel.
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