Manny Pacquiao, 45, announces ‘big’ rematch with Floyd Mayweather, 46, almost DECADE after record-breaking £500m fight

MANNY PACQUIAO appears to have announced he will rematch Floyd Mayweather – almost a decade on from their record-breaking bout.

Mayweather ended years of speculation in 2015 when he convincingly bettered Pacquiao on points.

Manny Pacquiao makes his announcement in the ring in Japan

AFPFloyd Mayweather beat Manny Pacquiao in 2015[/caption]

CEO Sakakibara: “Could you please fight against Floyd Mayweather?”

Manny Pacquiao: “I’m ready.”

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2023

The bout proved the most lucrative of all time with £500MILLION made and a record 4.6m pay-per-views sold in America.

Pacquiao has campaigned for a rematch ever since the devastating loss, citing a shoulder injury for the reason behind defeat.

And now he could finally get his wish after he looked to let slip that a rematch will take place in Japan next year.

He said in Saitama: “I hope to see you here in Japan again with a big fight against…”

Pacquiao paused before the president of Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN Nobuyuki Sakakibara said: “Floyd Mayweather.”

PacMan then added: “Floyd Mayweather, yeah. I thought that you didn’t want me to say that. But I am excited about that.”

Mayweather boxed twice more after his win over Pacquiao.

He beat Andre Berto and briefly retired for two years before he returned to face UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

Mayweather, now 46, beat McGregor, 35, in ten rounds and has not boxed professionally since.

But he has fought in exhibition bouts against names from the MMA, martial arts, YouTube and crossover boxing scene.

His last was in June against notorious mob boss John Gotti’s grandson.

But John Gotti III – a professional MMA fighter and boxer – was disqualified in round six with a rematch now set for February.

Pacquiao, 45, meanwhile retired in 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas, 37, on points.

Although after a failed presidential campaign in the Philippines, the eight-division champion began to tease a boxing return.

He did have an exhibition against Korean martial arts influencer DK Yoo last December.

Pacquaio is also set to return in a similar bout against Muay Thai icon Buakaw Banchamek on April 20.

He was due to fight on a RIZIN card last year but talks broke down.

Mayweather has twice featured for the MMA promotion before, beating Tenshin Nasukawa and Mikuru Asakura.

RIZIN have stated their intentions in the past to host a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao.

The Sun have contacted all three parties regarding Pacquiao and Sakakibara’s announcement.

Mayweather and Pacquiao in Japan in 2022Rex