Dana White Trying For Mayweather vs Pacquiao 2

Before streaming platforms became major players in combat sports, UFC president Dana White had already made his move behind the scenes.

Long before the buzz about Netflix entering boxing, White had reportedly pitched the idea of a rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

The plan was to make it happen under his own boxing venture, Zuffa Boxing, which he had been planning to launch as part of his expansion beyond mixed martial arts.

White’s idea shows how deeply he believed in the value of major crossover events.

It also highlights how early he recognized the potential of streaming and celebrity boxing long before it became a mainstream discussion.

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The Original “Fight of the Century”

The first Mayweather vs Pacquiao bout in 2015 was one of the most-watched sporting events in history.

Fans had waited nearly a decade for the two legends to face off. When the fight finally happened, it generated massive global attention, shattering pay-per-view and revenue records.

Although Mayweather won by unanimous decision, many fans felt the fight didn’t live up to the years of hype.

Pacquiao later claimed that injuries and poor timing affected his performance.

Despite mixed opinions, the financial success of that fight proved one thing when two icons collide, audiences will always pay attention.

That success left the door open for a rematch. But what few people knew was that Dana White was already working to make it happen.

Dana White’s Vision for Zuffa Boxing

After conquering the MMA world through the UFC, White set his sights on boxing.

His goal with Zuffa Boxing was to modernize the sport to bring the same level of organization, marketing, and entertainment that UFC had mastered.

White felt boxing had become fragmented. Promoters worked in silos, fighters often avoided risky matchups, and there was no single structure that allowed consistent big events.

Through Zuffa Boxing, he wanted to rebuild boxing’s appeal and bring the biggest names together under one banner.

The idea of starting Zuffa Boxing wasn’t just a casual thought it was something White had been planning since around 2017.

He had already met with fighters, managers, and networks to lay the groundwork for what could have been a new era in boxing promotions. And among his most ambitious ideas was the Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch.

White’s Pitch for Mayweather vs Pacquiao II

According to reports, Dana White pitched the rematch years ago, long before Netflix or other streaming platforms showed interest.

He wanted to host the fight under Zuffa Boxing, giving him control over the promotion, production, and marketing.

It made sense Mayweather and Pacquiao were still major global names, and both had hinted in interviews that they weren’t fully done with boxing.

White saw a massive business opportunity in pairing them again, this time with modern media support and perhaps a more engaging promotional buildup than the first fight.

The timing also matched White’s efforts to align UFC’s influence with boxing.

Around that period, Zuffa Boxing was meant to act as a hybrid model combining boxing’s traditions with UFC’s efficient event organization.

A high-profile rematch would have been the perfect launchpad.

Why the Rematch Never Happened Then

While White’s vision was ambitious, the fight didn’t materialize under Zuffa Boxing. One of the biggest challenges was timing.

Mayweather had already retired after his record-breaking bout against Conor McGregor in 2017, and Pacquiao had started focusing on his political career.

In addition, the boxing landscape was changing. New promoters, media platforms, and streaming deals were popping up everywhere.

With multiple parties involved in the fighters’ contracts, it became difficult to bring everyone under one roof.

Still, the idea stayed alive. Behind closed doors, major players in the boxing business knew that a Mayweather vs Pacquiao II would always attract interest — it was just a matter of when and where.

Netflix Enters the Picture

Fast forward to the present day, and now Netflix has shown interest in broadcasting combat sports, including boxing and MMA-style crossover events.

Recent reports suggest that the streaming giant has held talks about airing a Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch, potentially marking one of its biggest live sports events yet.

This move reignited interest in White’s original idea. While Netflix wasn’t part of the equation when White pitched his version, it’s clear that he was ahead of his time.

The current discussions mirror exactly what White wanted to achieve a global, easily accessible, high-profile boxing event that reaches fans everywhere without relying on traditional pay-per-view models.

What It Means for the Boxing Industry

White’s early pitch shows how the business of boxing is evolving. The old model built around cable networks and traditional promoters is being replaced by streaming platforms, crossover fights, and digital-first marketing.

For fans, this means more accessibility and more creative events.

For promoters, it opens new revenue models beyond ticket sales and pay-per-view numbers. And for fighters, it offers direct exposure to millions of viewers globally.

Dana White, despite being more associated with the UFC, saw this change coming years before others acted on it.

His push for a Mayweather vs Pacquiao sequel under Zuffa Boxing was an early signal that boxing’s future would rely on media innovation and brand integration, not just old-school promotion.

The Legacy of Mayweather and Pacquiao

Both fighters remain icons of the sport. Floyd Mayweather retired undefeated, cementing his status as one of boxing’s greatest defensive geniuses.

Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, became a global symbol of determination, rising from poverty to world champion across eight divisions a feat unmatched in boxing history.

A rematch, even years later, would not only draw massive viewership but also serve as a symbolic farewell for two fighters who defined an era.

It would bridge generations of fans and perhaps even inspire new interest in professional boxing.

Conclusion

Dana White’s early efforts to organize Mayweather vs Pacquiao II reveal just how far ahead he was thinking about the future of fight promotion.

Long before Netflix or other streaming services entered the ring, White had already envisioned a model that blended sports entertainment, global accessibility, and massive crossover appeal.

While his original Zuffa Boxing plan didn’t bring the rematch to life, the groundwork he laid may have influenced how promoters and broadcasters now approach major boxing events.

Whether or not White plays a role in the eventual Mayweather vs Pacquiao sequel, his foresight proves that the business side of boxing has always been about timing, vision, and understanding what fans truly want to see.

As of now, the world watches and waits because if this rematch ever happens, it won’t just be another boxing event; it will be a global spectacle years in the making.