MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao has doubled down on his insistence that his highly anticipated rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a “real fight” and not an exhibition, stressing that the bout scheduled for September 19, 2026, will push through despite Mayweather’s recent remarks downplaying the event.

Pacquiao made the statement during the 3rd Pacquiao-Elorde Awards Night, telling reporters that both camps had already signed contracts for a fully sanctioned fight. “We both signed the contract na real fight. There’s no reason na hindi matuloy ‘yung fight… unless kung ‘di talaga siya lalaban,” Pacquiao said, dismissing speculation that the clash could be downgraded to an exhibition.

The Filipino boxing legend expressed frustration after Mayweather suggested in an interview that the rematch was “not actually a fight” but an entertainment exhibition. Pacquiao countered that the agreement was clear and binding. “What we signed was a real fight, not an exhibition. I don’t know where he got this idea from or where his head was at, but the fight is a real fight, and it absolutely won’t be an exhibition,” Pacquiao told ESPN.

MP Promotions CEO Jas Mathur confirmed that Mayweather had signed three agreements and already received an advance on his purse, making his comments a potential breach of contract. “We are 100% confident that the overall outcome from this situation will turn out positive. Floyd has to live up to his obligations, and I think he wants this fight to happen, too,” Mathur said.

Pacquiao revealed that his training camp has already begun, albeit at a light pace given the four-month lead time before the fight. “Light lang muna kasi malayo pa naman. Kung September ang fight, eh di apat na buwan pa,” he explained.

The rematch, set to stream globally on Netflix, will take place more than a decade after their first meeting in 2015, which generated over 4.5 million pay-per-view buys and $600 million in revenue but was criticized for its lack of action. Mayweather won that fight by unanimous decision, while Pacquiao later revealed he had fought with a torn rotator cuff.

Now aged 47 and 49 respectively, Pacquiao and Mayweather are preparing to headline what is expected to be one of the biggest boxing events of the decade. Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion, came out of retirement last year for a WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios, which ended in a majority draw. Mayweather, who boasts a perfect 50-0 record, has not fought professionally since 2017 but has participated in several exhibitions.

With contracts signed, purses advanced, and training underway, Pacquiao insists the fight is locked in. “There’s no way we’re going to cancel this fight,” he said, adding that fans can expect a sanctioned bout with real stakes, not a mere spectacle.