It seems the drama surrounding the highly anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is far from over. While fans are gearing up for what they expect to be a thrilling showdown on September 19th in Las Vegas, Mayweather himself has thrown a wrench into the works, potentially leading to legal complications.
Exhibition vs. Professional Fight
During a recent meet and greet at Caesar’s Palace, Mayweather downplayed the upcoming bout, stating it’s not a professional fight but rather an “exhibition.” He also cast doubt on the previously rumored location at the Sphere, saying, “We don’t know the location of the fight… So we don’t know if it’s a hundred percent going to be there. And this is not actually a fight. It’s an exhibition.”
This statement has ruffled more than a few feathers, particularly those of event producer Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. Mathur was quick to call out Mayweather, accusing him of breaching his contract.
Contractual Breaches and Statements
“As of right now, the fight is still on. There is no termination of any sort, and he has signed for a professional fight,” Mathur told ESPN. “Floyd Mayweather is officially in breach of his contract. He’s been in a breach since the day he went out and said what he said on Saturday and he’s officially in a breach as of yesterday.”
Manny Pacquiao himself has also released a statement to clarify the situation, emphasizing his commitment to a high-level, competitive sanctioned fight. “I want to be very clear that the contract we signed is for a professional boxing match. This is not an exhibition; it is a real fight,” Pacquiao stated.
Commitment to a Professional Bout
Pacquiao further highlighted his team’s partnership with Netflix, noting that the platform’s announcement aligned with their agreement for a professional bout. “My team and I remain fully committed to the conditions of that contract and we are preparing for a professional-grade battle,” he added. He concluded by stating he’s back in gym training and expects the original terms to be honored.
Mayweather’s comments have put the legitimacy of the fight and his contractual obligations under scrutiny, potentially setting the stage for a legal battle if the dispute isn’t resolved soon.
Do you think Floyd Mayweather’s claims about the Pacquiao fight being an ‘exhibition’ are just mind games, or is there a genuine contract dispute? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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