Pacquiao Targets 147lbs for Mayweather Rematch
Manny Pacquiao has drawn a clear line ahead of his long-anticipated rematch with Floyd Mayweather, signaling that he wants the bout staged at 147 pounds with 8-ounce gloves and either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. The proposed conditions, confirmed by Pacquiao’s promotional team, sharpen the negotiating landscape for a Netflix-backed showdown scheduled for September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Why 147 Pounds Matters
Pacquiao’s insistence on the welterweight limit is not nostalgia. It is strategic. The Filipino icon has fought exclusively at 147lbs in professional competition since 2009, including his contentious draw with Mario Barrios last July and prior bouts against Yordenis Ugas and Keith Thurman. The weight is familiar territory — physically and tactically.
Mayweather, by contrast, has not consistently operated at welterweight in recent years, appearing primarily in exhibition contests since his 2017 technical knockout of Conor McGregor. A return to 147lbs would require disciplined preparation, particularly at 49 years old.
In practical terms, fighting at welterweight favors Pacquiao’s historical pace and punch volume. Higher weight classes often diminish his speed advantage — a variable he likely wants minimized.
Gloves, Rounds and Regulatory Questions
According to MP Promotions CEO Jas Mathur, Pacquiao’s team is also seeking 8-ounce gloves, standard for welterweight contests. If the fight were to shift to super-welterweight or above, Nevada regulations typically mandate 10-ounce gloves. The Nevada Athletic Commission will ultimately rule on glove size should negotiations alter the contracted weight.
Round length and format remain open, though Mathur indicated the fight would likely be contested over either 10 or 12 three-minute rounds. For comparison, the 2015 meeting — one of the highest-grossing bouts in boxing history — ran the full 12 rounds, ending in a unanimous decision for Mayweather.
Drug testing protocols are also expected to mirror elite championship standards, with USADA testing reportedly anticipated.
Commercial Stakes and Narrative Reversal
The rematch represents more than unfinished business. It reflects boxing’s evolving media economics. The original bout generated record-breaking pay-per-view revenue under the traditional cable model. This time, Netflix’s global streaming platform becomes the distribution vehicle, signaling how legacy rivalries are being repackaged for modern audiences.
Industry analysts note that platform-backed mega-events can reshape fighter leverage. A streaming-exclusive model compresses gate revenue importance while elevating global subscriber impact. For Pacquiao and Mayweather, both past their prime competitive years, commercial architecture may be as decisive as ring tactics.
Legacy and Risk
Pacquiao’s recent activity contrasts with Mayweather’s extended absence from sanctioned professional competition. The Filipino southpaw has remained active, even if results have varied. Mayweather has maintained visibility through exhibitions, but the competitive intensity of a licensed bout presents different variables.
A rematch at 147lbs narrows excuses. It recreates the weight class of their first encounter, placing technical adjustments — rather than physical concessions — at the center of the storyline.
Whether Mayweather accepts the proposed terms will shape the final framework. If he declines, regulators and promoters will need to balance safety standards, competitive fairness, and commercial demand.
For now, one parameter is clear: Pacquiao wants the fight on familiar ground.
Source: https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/pacquiao-on-mayweather-rematch-weight/