For the past five years, fight fans have been salivating over a potential super-fight between pound-for-pound superstars Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. We will get just that on May 2.
Many prophesied that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight would revive boxing. Unfortunately, a myriad of complications in the past meant that the super-fight hadn’t come to fruition. Arguments over drug testing, purse splits, promotional issues and rival television networks all contributed in failing to make the richest fight in boxing history.
Just when the public began to lose all hope, a meeting took place between Mayweather and Pacquiao at a Milwaukee Bucks-Miami Heat game on January 27. At the meeting, both fighters were coincidentally seated at court-side. The two met on the court and had a discussion that was continued in Pacquiao’s hotel suite later that night. Soon thereafter, it was announced that both sides had agreed to fight each other on May 2 at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Exact pay stubs for each fighter are unknown at this time because of all the different revenue streams inked in the deal. What is known, however, is that Mayweather will receive the lion’s share of the cash coming from the fighter purse, pay-per-view revenue and the live gate.
Mayweather and Pacquiao have agreed to split everything 60-40 in Mayweather’s favor. Some reports estimate that Mayweather will collect as much as $150 million and Pacquiao will receive $100 million. There is no doubt that this will be the richest fight in the history of boxing.
Although most boxing pundits agree that this fight is somewhat past its due date, it is still one of the most exciting match ups in boxing today with the potential to turn into a modern boxing classic.
Boxing is all about styles and how they match up together. Pacquiao and Mayweather couldn’t be more different both in and out of the ring. Inside of the ring ropes, Mayweather is a technically sound, defensive wizard who walks into the ring with a safety-first approach. Mayweather—using his shoulder-roll defense—does not take any unnecessary risks in the ring and is content to coast to easy decision victories by outpointing his opposition. Due to Mayweather’s cautious approach, he has taken very little punishment throughout his illustrious 19-year career as a pro––something that has helped preserve him as a fighter so that even at 38 years old, he remains fresh and on top of his sport.
In the opposing corner, Pacquiao is boxing’s first and only eight-division world champion. A crowd-pleasing, ferocious fighter from the Philippines, Pacquiao’s style borders on reckless at times. He strings together seven or eight punch combinations effortlessly, and with blinding speed. Pacquiao is a southpaw with a high work rate complete with a two-fisted attack coming from unorthodox angles. His straight left is one of the deadliest punches in all of boxing, and his right hook can be just as dangerous.
Both are currently preparing for the fight of their lives. This fight will solidify their legacies in boxing history. The fight will be available on pay-per-view through HBO or Showtime on May 2. The PPV is priced at an all-time high of $89.95 for standard definition and $99.95 for high definition.