The Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch is reportedly progressing but Mikey Garcia could be talking about Pacquiao as his next opponent.

An update regarding Mayweather’s exhibition match states that the undefeated champ has withdrawn his participation to finally settle the rematch talks with Pacquiao.

Hong Kong's DEF Promotions director and promoter Jay Lau revealed that Mayweather is currently more interested in a rematch of his 2015 mega-fight with Pacquiao than finalizing the exhibition match deal, Boxing Scene reported.

Lau admitted that the rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao is a lot more important than the exhibition match they were trying to organize.

“We were talking about an exhibition in China, a big event but not a recorded professional boxing fight. Something like Mayweather vs Tenshin in Japan. We spoke a bit about doing a special fight in China, but half way through he turned to the Pacquiao rematch so we stopped.

But letting go of such a big event is something that a boxing promoter wouldn’t do. However, Lau shed some light on the matter and confessed that that they will also benefit in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch.

“I’ll let him do his thing with Manny, the rematch is the biggest thing that can happen, so why bother with the exhibition bout first? If that happens we will stop everything and let him do his thing first. I hope it does happen, it could be a big possibility that fight is the grand opening for the Japan casinos,” Lau said.

Floyd Mayweather Manny Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather Jr. hugs Manny Pacquiao after defeating Pacquiao in their welterweight unification bout on May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty

While the much awaited rematch is reportedly progressing, Mikey Garcia, a boxer who has been viewed to be Pacquiao’s next opponent, recently stated that he will announce an exact date for his next fight next week.

And looking at Garcia’s previous statements about his next fight, he could be talking about Pacquiao as his next opponent.

“I’ll be fighting soon. It’s still to be confirmed. I’ll probably be able to give you guys an exact date maybe in a week. Next week,” Garcia told Fighthype.com

About a week ago, Pacquiao’s adviser Sean Gibbons had a chance to talk to Mayweather in Las Vegas. During the brief talk, Gibbons told Mayweather that Pacquiao is not doing any exhibition fights but professional fights only. As expected, the flamboyant boxing champ responded by saying the Filipino legend will only “move around the ring” and duck him during their rematch.

“Floyd told me that what the Senator’s going to do is just move around the ring and I told him the Senator’s not doing that as he is coming off one of his biggest wins (against Thurman),” Gibbons stated.

Mikey Garcia
Mikey Garcia is looking for a big title fight at 147 pounds. In this picture, Garcia enters the ring for his WBC & IBF World Lightweight Title fight against Robert Easter Jr. at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, July 28, 2018. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images