As Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned 49 on Tuesday, Manny Pacquiao had a simple and pointed birthday message for his longtime rival: good health.
Speaking to ESPN’s SportsCenter, Pacquiao offered a sincere birthday wish for Mayweather, emphasizing the importance of both fighters being healthy as they prepare for their upcoming rematch later this year.
“For me, I’m always wishing him more birthdays to come and good health,” Pacquiao said. “May God bless him, protect him, and give him good health, and of course let him enjoy his life right now.”
The comments came one day after the two boxing legends officially announced their long-anticipated rematch, scheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas and set to be streamed globally by Netflix. The fight will take place more than 11 years after their first meeting, which remains the most lucrative bout in boxing history.
A Different Tone Than 2015
Pacquiao’s remarks marked a noticeable shift from the buildup to their original fight in May 2015, which was defined by years of public tension, promotional brinkmanship, and heightened expectations.
That first bout, billed as “The Fight of the Century,” ended with Mayweather winning a unanimous decision in a tactical contest that generated unprecedented revenue but left many fans dissatisfied with the action in the ring.
In the years that followed, Pacquiao revealed he entered the fight with a torn rotator cuff, a disclosure that fueled debate and lingering controversy. The Filipino icon has since said he wants the sequel to unfold under different circumstances.
Now 47, Pacquiao has repeatedly emphasized that his priority is ensuring the rematch proceeds without distractions or lingering questions.
Pacquiao said he’s learned a lot from their first fight.
“I think we’ve matured now in how we handle it,” he said. “I hope it will not happen again the way it did in 2015.”
His birthday message to Mayweather reflected that mindset — one rooted less in rivalry and more in mutual preparation.
Pacquiao and Mayweather Are ‘Disciplined Fighters’
Pacquiao’s focus on health was not incidental. Both fighters are approaching their late 40s, an age rarely associated with elite-level professional boxing. For Pacquiao, the rematch represents an opportunity to close a chapter that never fully settled with fans.
Pacquiao returned to the ring last year and has remained active in training, saying discipline and consistency have allowed him to continue competing at a high level.
“Both of us are disciplined fighters,” he said. “We take care of our bodies. I always work out almost every day. Right now, I still feel like I can fight.”
The tone of his birthday wish underscored that belief — that the fight’s success hinges on both men being fully prepared and physically sound.
Silence From Mayweather
Mayweather, who retired undefeated at 50-0, has not publicly responded to Pacquiao’s birthday message.
The former five-division champion recently announced plans to return to boxing in a professional capacity following an April 25 exhibition bout against Mike Tyson, a move that helped reopen the door for rematch negotiations after years of speculation.
While Mayweather has largely avoided public commentary since the announcement, his return has generated renewed interest in how the rematch will be framed and promoted.
A Fight Defined by Respect
Despite the competitive history between the two, Pacquiao’s message reflected a more measured tone than fans saw more than a decade ago.
The original fight produced more than $600 million in overall revenue and a record 4.4 million pay-per-view buys, but its legacy has remained divisive. The sequel, both camps have suggested, is about producing a different experience — one shaped by preparation rather than controversy.
As the countdown to September continues, Pacquiao says his focus is on training — and respect.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Pacquiao said.
More than a decade after they first shared the ring, Pacquiao’s birthday wish served as a reminder that the rematch is not only about settling unfinished business, but about ensuring both fighters are ready to deliver a meaningful conclusion.
Pacquiao’s Birthday Message to Mayweather Signals Different Tone Ahead of Rematch