Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya Calls Out Problem With Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Rematch

Oscar De La Hoya got blunt about the reported Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch news.
Grant Young|
Aug 30, 2023; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Floyd Mayweather watches Inter Miami and Nashville SC practice before the game at DRV PNK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2023; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Floyd Mayweather watches Inter Miami and Nashville SC practice before the game at DRV PNK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

At the end of October, reports surfaced that boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather were in talks for a potential rematch in 2026.

This turned the boxing community on its head. While nothing is set in stone regarding the rematch, the fact that these two guys could be rematching around 11 years after they first faced off on May 2, 2015 (which Mayweather won via decision) has gotten a lot of attention.

In fact, much of the boxing community has expressed its distaste for this news, if only because they wished the rematch had happened a lot sooner.

And this sentiment makes sense, given that Mayweather is currently 48 years old and turns 49 in February, while Pacquiao is 46 years old and turning 47 next month.

Floyd Mayweather (black/gold trunks) and Manny Pacquiao (yellow/red trunks) box during their world welterweight championship
May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Floyd Mayweather (black/gold trunks) and Manny Pacquiao (yellow/red trunks) | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Oscar De La Hoya Shares Strong Message on Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Rematch

Not everybody in boxing is lamenting this rematch potentially being made. Oscar De La Hoya (who fought and lost to both Mayweather and Pacquiao during his own iconic career) proved this when speaking with Fight Hype on November 6.

"It should have happened a long time ago, obviously," De La Hoya said of the rematch. "I don't mind it, because it will be entertaining. And I'm curious to see how Mayweather will react to Pacquiao's style again, you know?

"I mean, Mayweather is Mayweather. He has a great style, great defense. Probably the same thing will happen again," he added. "But it will be entertaining. I'm actually, I wouldn't mind watching it again. But again, it should have happened a long time ago."

De La Hoya continued, "This is exactly what I tell fighters: You have to seize the opportunity at the moment, when it's hot, when people are talking about it. Like, Pacquiao and Mayweather should have fought several months after they had their first fight. Imagine how big that would have been. So I don't know how big it will be, them fighting now.

"But I think I would watch it, just to be entertained. They're both two of the best, elite fighters on the planet, so you've got to give them their props," he concluded.

So while De La Hoya believes the problem with this reported rematch is that it took way too long to make, he still seems pretty interested in seeing it come to fruition.

It will be fascinating to see how public perception and intrigue changes if the fight becomes official.

The Latest Boxing News

David Benavidez Blasts 'Annoying' Canelo Alvarez, Talks Potential Super Fight

Oscar De La Hoya Roasts Dana White And TKO Over UFC Gambling Investigation

Claressa Shields Slams Jake Paul’s Hypocrisy Amid Gervonta Davis Fight Cancellation

Jake Paul Hints at Turki Alalshikh Change of Heart on Canelo Alvarez Fight

Published
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young is a Staff Writer for On SI’s Boxing, New York Mets, Indiana Fever, and Women’s Fastbreak sites. Before joining SI in 2024, he wrote for various boxing and sports verticals such as FanBuzz and NY Fights. Young has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in creative writing with an emphasis on sports nonfiction from the University of San Francisco, where he played five seasons of Division 1 baseball. He fought Muay Thai professionally in Thailand in 2023, loves a good essay, and is driven crazy trying to handle a pitpull puppy named Aura. Young lives in San Diego and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.