Pacquiao Still Hasn’t Defined Exhibition Fight Before Rematch with Mayweather
Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, revealed that an exhibition fight for Manny Pacquiao has not yet been finalized before his expected rematch against Floyd Mayweather, scheduled for September 19.Last week, Banner Promotions, promoter of former super lightweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov, announced in a press release that Pacquiao would return to the ring on April 18 to face Provodnikov in a 10-round exhibition at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Mathur confirmed that the exhibition fight with Provodnikov was being considered, but clarified that “it is not official”, even though tickets for the event are being sold on Pacquiao’s website.Mathur also indicated that Pacquiao may not face Provodnikov before the fight with Mayweather. Provodnikov has not fought since 2016.It’s not official, or else they would have seen a lot more announced directly by Manny about it. I would have also been involved in that, and it’s just not official.
Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions
The Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch, announced on Monday, will take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas and will be broadcast globally on Netflix. While Pacquiao evaluates his options for a possible fight before September 19, Mayweather will face Mike Tyson in an exhibition this spring, although the date, location, and television network for that fight have not yet been announced. The last Pacquiao fight was in July 2025, when he returned from a four-year retirement and fought against the then WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios, in a majority draw.Will there be another exhibition potentially for Manny before the fight with Mayweather? Yes, there will be. I can’t say if it will be that one or if it will be something else, but as of now, that particular fight is not made.
Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions
