By Gilbert Manzano
Manny Pacquiao’s “thumbs up” emoji under Floyd Mayweather’s “announcement coming” social media post led many to believe that a rematch between the two star fighters was in the works.
Mayweather’s grand announcement came Wednesday and it didn’t involve Pacquiao or a return to the ring. If you’re into fantasy sports, then Mayweather’s announcement to partner with daily fantasy sports app Daily Number might have mattered to you.
But for those wondering when Mayweather-Pacquiao II will happen, Leonard Ellerbe provided an update in an interview with BoxingScene.com last week.
By now, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions knows to never say never when it comes to Mayweather fighting again.
The 42-year-old Mayweather has unretired multiple times throughout his illustrious career, with the latest return coming in 2017 when Mayweather recorded a 10th-round technical knockout against UFC star Conor McGregor to improve to 50-0.
“Yeah, Floyd is definitely,” Ellerbe said before stopping himself after being asked if Mayweather is done for good with fighting. “Floyd is busy with so many things. ... He was in five countries in the past month.”
As for a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch, Ellerbe gave a much clearer answer.
“Pacquiao has his own plans,” Ellerbe said. “Pacquiao is not sitting around waiting on Floyd. Pacquiao has a number of big fights in front of him.”
Mayweather and Pacquiao will be forever linked, but with both fighters in their 40s, it might be time to accept that there will only be one fight between the two. Mayweather cruised to a unanimous decision over Pacquiao in a bout that didn’t deliver much action in 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Ellerbe wants the focus to be on Pacquiao’s other potential bouts against the loaded PBC welterweight stable that includes Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia.
Pacquiao is reportedly close to an agreement with Thurman for a summer showdown.
Ellerbe also hinted that Garcia could be in line for Pacquiao if he’s able to defeat Adrian Granados on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, for a PBC on FOX event.
Regardless of who will be Pacquiao’s next opponent, Mayweather will be watching.
“Floyd knows that all of them are excellent fighters,” Ellerbe said. “He’s had nothing but great things to say about each and every one of the welterweights.”
