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Video: Floyd Mayweather Reveals Potential Manny Pacquiao Rematch in Saudi Arabia

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistAugust 18, 2019

FILE - This May 2, 2015 file photo shows Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines, left, and Floyd Mayweather Jr., embracing in the ring at the finish of their welterweight title fight in Las Vegas. A federal judge Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 dismissed class-action lawsuits by disgruntled boxing fans around the country who complained they didn't get their pay-per-view money's worth in the fight. The judge said that he felt sympathy for fans who felt deceived that Pacquiao's camp failed to disclose he had a shoulder injury until about three hours before the fight. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken,File)
Isaac Brekken/Associated Press

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may be putting his 50-0 record and bragging rights in his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao on the line.

Michael Benson of TalkSport shared a video in which Money said he is traveling to Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible rematch with the fighter he defeated in a highly anticipated 2015 showdown:

Michael Benson @MichaelBensonn

πŸ€―πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¦ Floyd Mayweather declares he's travelling to Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential Manny Pacquiao rematch. https://t.co/Fdt3FZhdFv

There is some inherent risk involved for Mayweather to take such a fight, considering he was always known for his ability to elude hard punches with lightning-quick speed. That speed may not be the same at 42 years old with only one fight since 2015.

That 2017 fight was also against UFC fighter Conor McGregor, so it's not as if he squared off with someone who made a career out of boxing like Pacquiao.

Pac-Man is not young either at 40 years old, but he defeated Adrien Broner, Lucas Martin Matthysse and Keith Thurman since he lost in controversial fashion against Jeff Horn in 2017.

He beat Thurman via split-decision in July. He impressed in the first round with a knockdown and in the later rounds with powerful body shots after his opponent gained some momentum during the middle of the fight. They were the types of punches he was unable to consistently land in his fight against Mayweather.

Mayweather was notably in attendance for that fight and then lashed out at Pacquiao in a message on his Instagram page (NSFW language) in the aftermath:

"I find it real ironic how every time Pacquiao's name is brought up in the media, my name is always attached to it. This man's entire legacy and career has been built off its association with my name and it's about time you all stop using my brand for clout chasing and clickbait and let that man's name hold weight of its own. For years, all you heard was that "Floyd is afraid of Manny Pacquiao". But what's funny is, when we finally fought, I won so easily that everyone had to eat their words! All of the so called boxing experts, critics and jealous American 'fan base' either went mute and ran for cover or made every excuse in the world as to why I should give Manny Pacquiao a rematch. My take on all this bulls--t is that y'all are just upset that I broke Rocky Marciano's record and hate the fact that a Black, high school dropout outsmarted you all by beating all odds and retiring undefeated while maintaining all my faculties simply by making smart choices and even smarter investments. Ultimately, I will always have the last laugh!"

Pacquiao responded to the barbs on Twitter:

Manny Pacquiao @MannyPacquiao

.@FloydMayweather You come to my fight and then use my name in a post but I’m the one that is trying to stay relevant? πŸ€” if you want to be relevant again... #MayPac2

There is no shortage of pre-fight talk already for a bout that hasn't even been finalized and may never happen. Neither fighter is in his prime anymore, but they also lend star power to the sport and would surely generate millions of dollars in pay-per-view sales for a rematch.

It appears as if the foundation is being laid for another showdown.