5 months ago
Miguel Cotto targeted for Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2 undercard
Kermit Cintron, a former world champion, has called on Miguel Cotto to return for a co-feature bout as speculation builds that Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II could take place in 2026.
Cintron, a former IBF welterweight champion, was once linked to a fight with Cotto during their prime, but the long-discussed matchup never came to fruition. A winner-take-all unification was planned for July 26, 2008, in which the victor of Cintron vs. Antonio Margarito would have met the winner of Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez. However, Margarito’s stoppage victory over Cintron in their rematch ended the potential clash before it ever reached the table.
Now, nearly two decades later, Cintron has urged Cotto to join him on the same card as Mayweather and Pacquiao’s potential rematch. This move would reunite prominent names from boxing’s golden era of welterweights.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao II Still Not Confirmed
As WBN previously reported, a sequel to Mayweather vs Pacquiao — the richest fight in boxing history — remains far from finalized despite new rumors swirling this month. WBN has repeatedly reported that while both camps have maintained open communication for years, no formal deal has ever been signed.
Multiple offers have been tabled since 2020, including a high-profile Saudi proposal to stage the bout in Diriyah, followed by later discussions to move it to Riyadh. Those plans never reached completion. More recently, efforts to bring the rematch to Netflix have also faced hurdles, with Mayweather pursuing a separate exhibition project involving Mike Tyson — and with Jake Paul already occupying one of Netflix’s limited annual combat sports slots.
Pacquiao Ready, Mayweather Hesitant
Pacquiao, now 46, has publicly stated he’s ready to fight Mayweather again following his controversial draw with WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
“If he signs the contract, we can fight,” Pacquiao told reporters. “I’m active now, and I’ll fight anyone in my weight division.”
Mayweather, meanwhile, has remained non-committal, focusing on exhibitions and business ventures outside the professional boxing circuit. His reluctance to risk his 50–0 record remains the single biggest obstacle to the rematch being an official bout rather than an exhibition.
Legacy Stakes and Nostalgia Factor
If the fight does go ahead, 2026 would mark 11 years since the Fight of the Century, which generated over $600 million in revenue and shattered every existing PPV record. Even so, the logistical challenges and the massive financial package required to lure Mayweather back into a sanctioned contest make the rematch a problematic proposition.
For now, boxing fans can only wait. Whether it’s a professional sequel or a lucrative exhibition, Mayweather vs Pacquiao II remains an enticing “what if” — and the idea of Cotto and Cintron sharing the undercard adds another layer of nostalgia to the sport’s most lucrative rivalry.
World Boxing News will continue to track developments as the story unfolds.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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