Manny Pacquiao has issued a direct challenge to Floyd Mayweather after returning to the ring with a controversial draw against Mario Barrios.
The eight-weight boxing legend is urging his longtime rival to step out of the shadows and make their long-awaited rematch a reality.
Despite widespread speculation that Mayweather would respond to Pacquiao’s comeback, the undefeated former pound-for-pound king has remained silent, prompting questions about whether the 48-year-old is willing to risk his perfect record in a professional bout.
Mayweather hasn’t acknowledged Pacquiao’s return at 46, or the fact he drew with a current world champion. Since the age of 40, Mayweather has only fought in exhibition matches.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Pacquiao made his position crystal clear.
The Direct Call-Out “It’s hard for me to talk about a fighter who retired already,” Pacquiao told reporters, including World Boxing News. “If he comes out and signs the contract, then maybe we will fight.
“I mean, let’s fight again, if you want. I have no problem with that. I’m active now and I don’t pick my opponent. I’ll fight them all in my weight division.”
“I did my best!!”- Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao’s first words after his draw with Mario Barrios.
🔗: https://t.co/ROpdxOSE8C#PacquaioBarrios pic.twitter.com/oKABz79BLM
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) July 20, 2025
The Filipino superstar rolled back the years in flashes against WBC welterweight champion Barrios but had to settle for a contentious draw after twelve competitive rounds.
Many at ringside, including WBN (115-113 on our Scorecard), felt Pacquiao edged the bout, while others questioned whether age finally caught up to him in the championship rounds.
Either way, the result has not dulled Pacquiao’s appetite — or his desire for a second showdown with the man who handed him a career-defining defeat in 2015.
Is a Rematch Possible? Since then, talks of a rematch have surfaced multiple times, only to fizzle out due to Mayweather’s insistence on remaining retired from sanctioned contests.
Instead, Mayweather has paraded through a string of meaningless bouts — none of them remotely matching the scale or stakes of a legitimate Pacquiao sequel.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Naoki Fukuda With Pacquiao now fully back in the mix and repeatedly stating he wants to fight “real champions,” the ball is once again in Mayweather’s court. Yet “Money” has chosen not to comment on Pacquiao’s return, an ominous silence that could speak louder than words.
WBN understands that Pacquiao remains open to any opponent in the welterweight division but sees Mayweather II as a fitting end to his legendary career — if the former five-weight ruler is willing to put it all on the line once again.
Other potential opponents include Sebastian Fundora, who told WBN he’d take the fight, Gervonta Davis, and Barrios again.
Until an opponent is secured, Pacquiao says he’s willing to fight whoever steps up. Will that be Floyd Mayweather?
