Netflix Takes Over Boxing in 2026: Mayweather-Pacquiao Rematch Set as Dana White Eyes Fury vs. Joshua

The traditional pay-per-view model might finally be on its last legs. Streaming platforms are officially taking the reins of global combat sports, and you don’t have to look much further than Netflix’s staggering 2026 lineup to see the takeover in action. Eleven years after their record-breaking “Fight of the Century,” Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao are strapping the gloves back on for a sequel. The two icons are scheduled to clash on September 19, 2026, under the dazzling lights of the Sphere in Las Vegas. And this time around, the entire world will be watching it play out live on Netflix.

Running Back the Fight of the Century
Their first bout back in 2015 basically shattered every metric imaginable, pulling in 4.6 million PPV buys and generating a massive $72 million live gate. While it was an undeniable financial behemoth, Mayweather’s brilliant but risk-averse unanimous decision victory left plenty of fans feeling underwhelmed. The landscape for both fighters has changed significantly since then. The 49-year-old Mayweather hasn’t fought professionally since stopping Conor McGregor in 2017, sticking strictly to lucrative exhibition bouts against names like Logan Paul and John Gotti III.

Pacquiao, however, took a very different path. The 47-year-old Filipino senator stayed incredibly active, fighting eight more times right up until 2025, most recently battling Mario Barrios to a draw. He is clearly out for redemption and views this as a fight for his nation’s honor. “The fans have waited long enough,” Pacquiao recently stated. “I want Floyd to finally know what a loss feels like.” Mayweather fired back with his trademark confidence, simply insisting that he beat him once and the result will be exactly the same.

The Streaming Giant’s Grand Strategy
This blockbuster rematch is the crown jewel of Netflix’s aggressive expansion into live sports. After hosting mega-events like Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson—which drew over 108 million global live viewers—and featuring superstar names like Canelo Alvarez, Katie Taylor, and Anthony Joshua, the platform is doubling down to make boxing a cultural mass phenomenon again. Production for the Vegas event is being handled heavily by EverWonder Studio, Hidden Empire Film Group, and Limitless X Holdings, with Mayweather Promotions and Manny Pacquiao Promotions driving the joint marketing effort.

Dana White Enters the Boxing Picture
But Netflix’s ambitions go way beyond two legendary veterans looking for one last dance in the desert. Enter Dana White. The relentless UFC kingpin is officially diving deeper into the boxing business, bringing his grand promotional vision to the streaming giant. White previously tested the waters last September by acting as the chief promoter for Terence Crawford’s massive victory over Canelo Alvarez. Now, White and Zuffa Boxing are reportedly prepping their own massive offer, in partnership with Netflix, to finally secure the elusive all-British heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

The groundwork for this heavyweight partnership is already being laid. Fury is actually slated to make his ring return against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, a bout that will also be broadcast on Netflix and is expected to prominently feature White’s involvement. The UFC boss has been highly vocal about his intentions to completely shake up the sport. He is already teasing a massive fight card for Mexican Independence Day that would compliment Canelo Alvarez’s expected return to Saudi Arabia that same weekend. “There’s a lot going on to rock the industry,” White revealed. “New signings, more deals, new territories. I’m telling you guys, by the end of 2026, it’s going to be impressive.”

The Tragic Hurdle for Fury vs. Joshua
Yet, the reality of a Fury-Joshua super-fight remains heavily clouded by real-life tragedy. While all indications suggested a deal for a 2026 showdown was practically done late last year, Joshua’s life took a devastating turn. Following his victory over Jake Paul, the former heavyweight champion was involved in a horrific car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

Understandably, the British superstar has stepped away from the sport to grieve. His fighting future is completely up in the air right now, making it highly uncertain if he will ever return to the ring to finally face the “Gypsy King.”

Even with the heavyweight picture currently in limbo, Netflix’s hybrid model of entertainment and elite sports is packed to the brim. To top off their recent string of blockbuster announcements, the streaming service also revealed that two absolute legends of women’s MMA will be crossing over to face each other in the boxing ring for the very first time.