Getty

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on stage after facing-off with one another following their weigh-in on May 1, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada one day before their "Fight of the Century" on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Manny Pacquiao made fresh comments about Floyd Mayweather Jr. during an appearance on Inside The Ring, and his message was clear. The eight-division world champion questioned Mayweather’s long-standing claim as the greatest of all time.

Speaking in a calm but direct tone, Pacquiao pushed back on the idea that an undefeated record alone settles the debate. The interview clip quickly spread online and drew strong reactions from fans. It also comes at a time when talk of a second fight between the two fighters has started to build again, more than a decade after their first meeting in 2015.

Manny Pacquiao Challenges Floyd Mayweather’s Undefeated Claim

Pacquiao addressed the topic directly when asked about the GOAT debate. He did not hold back in his response and focused on what he believes separates his career from Mayweather’s.

“He’s a self-proclaimed GOAT. Self-proclaiming GOAT, because he can’t even claim which part he can claim. He can’t even claim to be the only undefeated fighter to retire. There are a lot of fighters, at least more than 15, who have retired undefeated. But I can claim with some of those? The only eight-division [champion] and the only fighter who became a world champion in four different decades.”

His comments point to two different ways of measuring success in boxing. Mayweather retired with a 50-0 record and often highlights that mark as the key reason for his place in history. Pacquiao, on the other hand, pointed to his record across weight classes and time.

Pacquiao has won world titles from flyweight to super welterweight. He has also claimed championships across four decades, from the 1990s to the 2020s. Those achievements remain unmatched in the sport.

First Fight History and Renewed Spotlight

The two fighters first met on May 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout drew 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and generated more than $600 million in revenue.

Mayweather won the fight by unanimous decision with scores of 118-110, 116-112, and 116-112. His performance relied on defense and control, limiting Pacquiao’s offense over 12 rounds. After the fight, Pacquiao said he dealt with a shoulder injury that affected his performance.

Mayweather later retired with a 50-0 record after defeating Conor McGregor in 2017. He has often cited that record, along with wins over multiple champions, to support his claim to be the best.

Possible Rematch Remains in Discussion

Pacquiao’s recent comments come as discussions continue about a possible second fight. Reports have linked a September 19, 2026, event at The Sphere with plans to stream on Netflix.

Pacquiao’s side has stated that any fight should be a professional bout. The team has rejected the idea of an exhibition and pointed back to earlier agreements tied to their first fight.

As of now, Mayweather has not responded publicly to Pacquiao’s latest remarks. The renewed attention has placed both fighters back in the spotlight, with their past rivalry again becoming a central topic in boxing discussions.