THE projected rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. won't just happen sooner than expected.
Pacquiao is penciled for an early January return in the ring but not against the flamboyant Mayweather, according to multiple sources by SPIN.ph.
The bout will either be on January 12 or 19 in Las Vegas, which sources added, will serve as the Filipino's tune-up for the Mayweather rematch in summer.
But Mayweather could also be involved in the fight as co-promoter of Pacquiao.
The Filipino senator apparently hinted about the plan when he told reporters two weeks ago that he will fight 'one more this year,' and 'a big one in April or May.'
On Saturday, the unbeaten 40-year-old Mayweather set social media on fire when he posted on Instagram that he will be coming out of retirement to face Pacquiao this December.
He made the announcement as he crossed paths with Pacquiao in Tokyo, Japan for an electronic music festival event.
The 39-year-old Pacquiao, who currently holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title belt, initially planned to fight again in early December.
But it's doubtful whether its Mayweather the Pacman will immediately face as the boxing legend from General Santos City himself admitted on Monday before senate reporters that negotiations for the rematch have yet to start.
He also said there's a big possibility the return bout will happen, but didn't commit to the December showdown Mayweather announced on Instagram.
Mayweather's condition is also in question.
While Pacquiao remains active, Mayweather has only fought twice in the last three years.
His last bout came 13 months ago when he came out of retirement to dominate overmatched MMA superstar Connor McGregor in a 10th-round stoppage during their highly talked about showdown in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao and Mayweather fought in the biggest and richest bout in boxing history, which the unbeaten American won by unanimous decision.
The May 2 title bout for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown earned a record $410 million out of 4.4 million pay-per-view sales, also an all-time record.
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