Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao Rematch: 'Money' Targeting Tune-Up Fight First

Floyd Mayweather hinted he may take part in a tune-up fight before taking on Manny Pacquiao in a rematch.

Mayweather met Pacquiao in Tokyo over the weekend as the duo later posted on social media about having a rematch. Most thought it was just an attention grab, but it was then revealed Monday by Pacquiao that both camps expect to have the fight finalized by this week with a potential December date.

It would mark the third time Mayweather comes out of retirement but he may not be planning on fighting just once. Speaking to TMZ, "Money" revealed Wednesday he would be back in Tokyo for a big boxing event.

"I know everybody heard about the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, but before the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch I will be back in Tokyo for a huge boxing event. Stay tuned," Mayweather said.

While he did not explicitly state whether he would just simply be in attendance or promoting a Tokyo event, many outlets have reported that Mayweather meant a tune-up fight before a Pacquiao rematch.

TMZ adds that Mayweather hasn't selected an opponent yet but is not only looking at boxers but kickboxers and MMA fighters as well.

A tune-up fight makes sense for Mayweather. The 41-year-old retired for the second time in 2015 but came out of retirement again to face Conor McGregor in a lucrative boxing match in Las Vegas last year that took his record to 50-0.

Mayweather was always going to win that fight in what was a clear money grab, but facing Pacquiao is a whole different story. The Filipino, who won the World Boxing Association (Regular) welterweight title in July, is not as explosive as he was in the past, but he's still a big threat and won't be nursing a shoulder injury as he did in the first fight.

As TMZ states, a tune-up fight in Tokyo will also "open up the Asian markets for a bevy of business interests -- including clothing and endorsements."

This is favorable to Pacquiao. The 39-year-old hasn't fought in the U.S. since 2016, and with his financial problems as well as the fact that he reportedly owes tens of millions of dollars to the IRS, the rematch happening abroad is ideal especially if it takes place in Japan.

A tune-up fight for Mayweather, however, may mean the rematch won't happen in December but rather next year.

"We cannot say when or exactly what date," Pacquiao told the Philippines' ABS-CBN News. "[Mayweather is] announcing his comeback from retirement. He wants to fight and challenge me; he wants to get my belt. Right now, we're negotiating and hoping to finalize that. I'm always available. I'm always available for him. It's important to [have the rematch], as we have unfinished business. We've been waiting for a long time."

Mayweather defeated Pacquiao in their first meeting back in May 2015 via unanimous decision. The fight was an enormous economic success, breaking a number of records with 4.6 million pay-per-view buys. As a contest though, the fight was a dull one and left a sour taste in the mouths of many viewers, including boxing fans.