Manny Pacquiao clarified that his rematch with Floyd Mayweather on September 19 is a real professional fight, not an exhibition as his opponent claimed. He made the statement shortly after arriving in Los Angeles from the Philippines. According to the contract, Mayweather's 50-0 record is at stake.
Manny Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, April 1 (Thursday, April 2, Manila time) with his wife Jinkee. They came to watch Pedro Taduran defend his IBF minimumweight title against Gustavo Perez Alvarez and Pacquiao's son Jimuel's second professional bout against Darric Gates on April 3 at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
"That’s the contract that we signed," Pacquiao said in an interview shortly after landing. He debunked Floyd Mayweather's claim that their September 19 fight at The Sphere in Las Vegas is an exhibition, meaning the American's 50-0 record would not be at risk. "That’s what he’s feeling, but the contract that we signed is [for] a real fight," he added.
Pacquiao dismissed suggestions that the welterweight rematch might be canceled because Mayweather changed his mind. "We signed the contract already. So, there’s no reason for the fight not to push through," he said. He aims to avenge his unanimous decision loss to Mayweather in their 2015 "Fight of the Century" on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Reports indicate that if Mayweather insists on treating it as an exhibition, he could face breach of contract charges. Pacquiao stated he is not inclined to an exhibition bout.
