Sports
Floyd Mayweather’s Next Fight if Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson Bouts Fall Apart
Floyd Mayweather is hardly short of options when it comes to rumors of an apparent return to the ring.
The former five-weight boxing world champion has not competed since his 10th-round stoppage over Conor McGregor, but has been reasonably active on the exhibition circuit, boxing alongside the likes of Tenshin Nasakuwa, Logan Paul, and John Gotti III. In recent months, Mayweather has been linked with an exhibition with Mike Tyson, and with a legitimate fight against his old rival Manny Pacquiao, who returned to the ring aged 46 and scored a draw in a WBC welterweight bout against Mario Barrios.
Now, though, another familiar name has called Mayweather out in case plans with Tyson, or Pacquiao, fail to materialize.
‘I Have Fought Both Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao – Here’s Who Would Win 2026 Rematch’
In a GiveMeSport exclusive, boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya gave his live reaction to news Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao could rematch in 2026.
Familiar Face Calls For Second Floyd Mayweather Fight
With a flawless record of 50-0, and victories over Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez among many others, Mayweather remains one of the best boxers who ever lived. And, though he retired more than eight years ago rumors of a comeback refuse to go away.
Speaking on the Overdogs podcast, which features host Mike Perry, Andre Berto said he’d relish a second shot at Mayweather after coming unstuck to TBE in 2015 — Mayweather’s 49th bout. Perry asked Berto if he’d rather rematch Mayweather in bare knuckle, or Dirty Boxing — which is Perry’s upstart fight firm. “Either one of them,” Berto said.
“I’ve got a little bit more to me. Floyd likes to run around and try to box. I want to be able to grab and hit him with some other s***. So, either one.”
Berto added that the boxing ring is where Mayweather is most comfortable and, considering the first result — a decision win for Mayweather — a rematch in an alternative combat sport like bare knuckle, or within Dirty Boxing rules, could, in theory, level the playing field.
“Floyd talks a lot, but I’ve known him since 16 and know he’s not really like that,” Berto told Perry. “If we’re in a bar somewhere, I know you’re not like that for real. When it comes to that boxing ring, you’ve got that safety around you and all you have to do is look slick, get away with it, it’s a whole different situation.”
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez Reveals Who he Wants to Fight Next in 2026
The former pound-for-pound boxing star is looking to rebound from a resounding defeat to Terence Crawford.
Mayweather Appears to Have Options
Though there has been little movement since, Mayweather and Tyson both confirmed plans to take part in an exhibition at some point in 2026.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” Mayweather said in a statement sent to GIVE ME SPORT at the time. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”
Tyson, meanwhile, said:
“I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed, and it’s happening!”
But it’s not the only big name Mayweather has been linked with as speculation of a second bout with Pacquiao refuses to go away, especially after Manny rolled back the years to take the fight to Barrios earlier in 2025, and arguably did enough to get the win, but got screwed by questionable scoring as judges scored it a draw.
‘Holy Smokes’ — Anthony Joshua Should Fight UFC Fan Favorite After Jake Paul
Anthony Joshua is renowned for his love of bare-knuckle fighting, and Austin Trout, a BKFC champion, said AJ vs UFC star would be a barnburner.
