Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch ‘more likely than not’ – Arum

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr may officially be retired, but a big money rematch could convince the aging boxing champions to come back for one more fight.

Promoter Bob Arum tells TMZ that it’s a safer bet that it’d happen.

“It’s close to 50/50 but probably leaning more toward the fight happening … more likely than not,” says Arum, who promotes Pacquiao and at one time promoted Mayweather.

Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in their much-anticipated fight in May of 2015 by unanimous decision, though the action in the ring failed to live up to its lofty expectations. Still, the event shattered nearly all financial records, generating $400 million on 4.4 million pay-per-views sold while bringing in $71 million at the gate.

(READ: There will never be another Manny Pacquiao)

Pacquiao, 37, retired after his decision win over Timothy Bradley Jr this past weekend to focus on his Senatorial campaign in the Philippines while Mayweather, 39, announced his retirement following a decision win over Andre Berto in September.

Showtime, which presented the first Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight as a joint pay-per-view event with HBO, has expressed interest in broadcasting a rematch, which Showtime executive vice president Stephen Espinoza says was made more interesting by Pacquiao’s impressive win against Bradley.

“But really in terms of a Mayweather rematch, it’s really up to the audience, to the fans and the writers,” Espinoza told RingTV.com. “I know from talking to Floyd — if there’s demand for a particular fight — I think he will give it strong consideration. But I think this is one where we’re not going to put the cart before the horse.”

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 knockouts) refused to speculate on a possible rematch at the post-fight press conference, insisting that he wanted to try out life as a retired fighter for the mean time.

“Let me enjoy first a retired life. If you ask me about comeback, I don’t know because I might enjoy retired life,” said Pacquiao.

Arum believes another shot at the man he earned a 9-figure payday against could attract him back.

“If the match was available, I believe [Manny] would come back for that match,” said Arum. 

Pacquiao’s advisor Michael Koncz said in February that if a Mayweather fight “was presented to us, we’d have to really consider it.” – Rappler.com