Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr finally happening? American boxer reportedly leaves China exhibition talks to face official match discussions

Just a few weeks ago, the long-awaited rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquaio seemed impossible. However, recent developments suggest that the blockbuster fight still have hope as the American boxing icon reportedly backed out of a lucrative exhibition fight in China.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr rematch: Still possible in 2020?

It can be recalled that the highly requested fight between the two boxing legends seemed impossible in recent weeks. Pacquiao is insistent on having an official match while Mayweather was reportedly looking forward to only joining an exhibition match. The latter has retired from his boxing record with a flawless record, 50-0, in 2017 – two years after their first match took place.

However, a new report surfaced that suggests a different story. Mayweather was reportedly in the middle of negotiations for a 2020 exhibition match set in China. However, director and promoter Jay Lau of the Hong Kong-based DEF Promotions told SunSport that the American boxer bowed out of the discussions, apparently, to face other talks that are related to his supposed rematch with Pacquiao.

“Mayweather came two times to Hong Kong, he spoke with my son Jayson, and we had communications, but now he is focusing the Pacquiao rematch,” Lau said. The exhibition match in China was reportedly planned to be as big as Mayweather’s fight with Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa. “We spoke a bit about doing a special fight in China, but halfway through he turned to the Pacquiao rematch so we stopped,” Lau added.

Manny Pacquiao to set his next fight, opponent before 2019 ends

It is not a secret that boxing fans all around the world have been requesting to see the second bout of Pacquiao and Mayweather happen, especially since the Filipino fighter maintains a very active boxing career. If the rumored talks of a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather rematch falls out again, the certain thing is the Philippine senator will certainly arrange his next fight for 2020.

Previous reports have been suggesting that Pacquiao’s next opponent has been narrowed down between Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia. Pacquiao’s camp has yet to announce anything official but, with a fight that is very likely happening in 2020, the Filipino’s team could make the necessary announcements before 2019 ends.