Account
Don’t have an account? Sign up
Help and preferences
Help
Settings & privacy
Mayweather says Pacquiao deal almost done, not struggling financially
Article hero background
Mayweather says Pacquiao deal almost done, not struggling financially
Link copied!
3 hrs ago
3 hrs ago
3 min read
Floyd Mayweather held a press conference Thursday in Las Vegas at the Mayweather Boxing Club to officially announce his exhibition against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis on June 27 in Athens.
In addition to promoting the match, two pressing topics Mayweather addressed were his planned fight against Manny Pacquiao and a recent run of unfavorable headlines suggesting he’s in financial trouble.
Mayweather, 49, announced his professional comeback following a nine-year retirement February 20, and three days later, Netflix announced that he’d be facing Pacquiao in a rematch September 19 at Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, the fight has been on the ropes ever since Mayweather said on March 28 that the meeting was an exhibition and not a sanctioned fight, and that the location was up in the air.
“At this particular time, I truly believe that, you know, everybody is gonna want to ask questions about the Pacquiao fight,” said Mayweather.
“We have a lot of new companies, a lot of new faces, and Netflix, I truly believe that we'll get this done. I think we're almost at the finish line to finish the Pacquiao fight. Eventually, I think within the next 48 hours, the Pacquiao fight should be done.”
Exactly when and where the fight will be staged remains to be seen. On Monday, it was announced that the rock band Eagles will now occupy the Sphere on September 19.
After both fighters had already received advance payments, Pacquiao and his team said on the April 13 episode of Inside The Ring that neither the Filipino icon nor Netflix was interested in an exhibition, and that the self-proclaimed GOAT Mayweather was afraid of losing as an April 14 deadline loomed to salvage the fight.
Mayweather then talked generally in regard to how he’s been in constant headlines of late, especially as reports suggest that he’s in financial trouble after earning an estimated $1.15 billion during his undefeated Hall of Fame career.
The IRS filed a $7.3 million lien against Mayweather in March for unpaid taxes in 2018 and 2023. In February, Mayweather sued former broadcast partner Showtime, alleging $340 million in misappropriated funds. Mayweather is also the defendant for several complaints alleging unpaid tabs for jewelry, luxury apartment rentals and private jet services.
On Tuesday, Mayweather dropped a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Business Insider.
“I just want to say thank you to the media,” said Mayweather. “Even though I'm not really on social media, because most of the time I'm at home spending time building generational wealth, helping my children, helping my grandson.
“But just to be able to stay relevant, a part of it is the media. Whether you write a good story or a bad story, you're keeping me relevant. When you keep a guy relevant, the money still flows in. So thank you.
“Negative stories always go a lot further than positive stories. A lie will always go further than the truth. My whole goal is to always stay positive, continue to work hard, and continue to push the next generation to be great, teach them the way, and show them how they should move.”
Mayweather then moved on to build buzz for his exhibition abroad against Zambidis, one week after it was revealed that the IRS had notified Mayweather of its intention to revoke his United States passport.
“It’s great to be able to travel the world, display my skills, and let the people see my artwork, entertain them, and give the people what they want to see, and that's excitement,” said Mayweather.
“Whether it’s an exhibition or a real competition in a sanctioned fight, people still want to be entertained. I took care of my body, and I took my career seriously so that I'm still able to compete 30 years later.
“My job is to go out there and do what I do best.”
Mayweather plans to have an active 2026, including an announced exhibition against Mike Tyson in the Congo. But the originally planned date for April has passed, and very few details have been revealed in recent months.
The event currently stands without a confirmed date, and Mayweather did not address the Tyson event on Thursday.
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.
Featured News
Article thumbnail
Next
Ramirez reacts to Benavidez loss: ‘Hurt is real, I’ll be back’
RELATED ARTICLES
The Idec Index: Like It Or Not, Mayweather-Pacquiao Captivates Public
Column
The Idec Index: Like It Or Not, Mayweather-Pacquiao Captivates Public
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Interview
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Pacquiao: Mayweather wanted exhibition, I wanted real fight
Featured Article
Pacquiao: Mayweather wanted exhibition, I wanted real fight
RELATED ARTICLES
The Idec Index: Like It Or Not, Mayweather-Pacquiao Captivates Public
Column
The Idec Index: Like It Or Not, Mayweather-Pacquiao Captivates Public
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Interview
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: How fight got made, records they want to break
Pacquiao: Mayweather wanted exhibition, I wanted real fight
Featured Article
Pacquiao: Mayweather wanted exhibition, I wanted real fight
Can you beat Coppinger?

Lock in your fantasy picks on rising stars and title contenders for a shot at $100,000 and exclusive custom boxing merch.

Can you beat Coppinger?
Partners
  • Strategic
    Partners
  • Strategic Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight
    Partners
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Heavyweight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight
    Partners
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Middlewight Partners partner logo
  • Lightweight
    Partners
  • Lightweight Partners partner logo
  • Lightweight Partners partner logo
  • Lightweight Partners partner logo
  • Partners
  • Partners partner logo
  • Partners partner logo
  • Partners partner logo
  • Partners partner logo
  • Promoters
  • Promoters partner logo
  • Promoters partner logo
  • Promoters partner logo
  • Promoters partner logo
  • Promoters partner logo
  • Promoters partner logo