Manny Pacquiao has taken over a boxing gym in Hollywood once linked to Floyd Mayweather Jr, rebranding it as Pacquiao Prime Boxing. This move comes just months before their highly anticipated rematch on September 19 in Las Vegas.
What happened?
The Filipino icon chose not to speak at first, instead letting the setting do the talking. The gym, now under new management, is a direct message to his rival.
Why it matters for Manny Pacquiao
The timing is perfect, or dangerous, as the fight revives a historic rivalry and reopens wounds from their record-breaking 2015 clash. The tension goes beyond symbolism, with a real conflict threatening to shake the event.
Manny Pacquiao's camp strongly disagrees with Floyd Mayweather's suggestion that the fight is an exhibition. According to statements collected by The Associated Press, Pacquiao's team insists there are three signed agreements clearly defining the bout as an official fight.
The controversy that could break the fight
Pacquiao stated firmly that for him, this is about dignity and integrity. Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, claims Mayweather already received a financial advance, reinforcing the legitimacy of the agreement.
The rivalry has heated up again, and it's getting personal. Pacquiao's camp didn't hold back, with Mathur calling Mayweather a chicken, and Manny himself mocking the situation.
More than a fight: Pacquiao's growing empire
While the boxing world focuses on the rematch, Pacquiao is building something much bigger. The Hollywood gym is just the beginning of an ambitious project: creating elite training centers and expanding his brand globally.
This won't be a traditional gym. It's designed as a private high-performance facility, aimed at developing the next generation of fighters. On September 19, Manny Pacquiao will face Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas, with the outcome hanging in the balance.