The fight that the whole boxing world has been hoping and praying for is now set to be a reality and is schedule for the 2nd of May. The welterweight showdown will be the richest in boxing history, with Floyd Mayweather taking on the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao in a dream event for all concerned, especially in financial terms.
After months of negotiations in an effort to make that dream become a reality, it was Mayweather himself who actually announced that it would go ahead. The world’s highest paid athlete posted a picture of the signed contract online via social media platform Shots (he is an investor in the site).
"I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done," Mayweather told ESPN in reference to a meeting between the pair last month at a Miam Heat game. "Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus. This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport”.
The event will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Mayweather coming out of the deal with a 60/40 split in his favour. Some experts believe the bout could fetch up to $400 million. The deal also meant that rival networks wishing to broadcast the event had to go through a pretty full-on negotiation of their own. Mayweather is contracted to cable network Showtime while Pacquiao to HBO. The two networks came to an agreement which will see them share the broadcast, and they will no doubt be able to charge handsomely to do so.
Manny Pacquiao appeared delighted with the deal. He spoke with ESPN; "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years," Pacquiao said. "They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an honour to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world”.
The hype surrounding the event is likely to rival the Mike Tyson v Lennox Lewis bout of 2002. However, some suggest that the fight would have been better off taking place five years ago when many say both athletes were in the prime. In fact, most expert boxing observers would no doubt concede that both men have lost some of their former skill.
Floyd Mayweather has not experienced too much trouble in the ring over his career, but is turning 38 this Tuesday, whilst the Filipino has had a brutal career which must have taken its toll on his 36-year old body.
Despite all this, there remains incredible interest in the fight. “This boxing match will have the interest in the U.S. of a Super Bowl,” fight promoter Bob Arum said. “I think it will set all kinds of pay-per-view records and gate records. It will be the biggest boxing event of all time”.
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