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Manny will certainly make money, but will he beat ‘Money’? That’s the question on the lips of all boxing fans and an entire Filipino nation following the recent announcement of the fight that the world has waited six years to see.
Pacquiao, boxer turned politician (he was re-elected to Congress in 2013), will enter the ring at the MGM Grand in Nevada on Saturday, May 2, to fight the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.
After various stalled attempts to stage this fight due to competing television commitments and arguments over performance-enhancing blood testing, the one fight likely to rival the ‘Thriller in Manila’ or ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ is finally on!
With the glitz and glamour involved this may be a fight that transcends boxing, although for the purists it promises an intriguing difference of styles.
The fight is even more enthralling due to the dearth or other alternatives with the premium heavyweight division having been dominated by Wladimir Klitschko who now ranks as the second-longest serving champion behind Joe Louis.
Where is your Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, Mohammed Ali or Joe Frazier other than with these two? Boxing, indeed all sport, needs its rivalries.
The ‘Pac-Man’ has been willing to take on all-comers and was the first and only fighter to win world titles in eight different weight divisions amidst the 10 world titles he has amassed. He was voted the fighter of the decade for the ‘noughties’ by several boxing divisions.
Conversely, Mayweather has won every one of his 47 bouts in a career dating back to 1996 and has accumulated 11 world titles. He is currently ranked the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by numerous specialist publications.
However, don’t expect the fight to be a classic. Mayweather is known for his defensive style, backing off to avoid getting hit, fighting intelligently, waiting for an opening.
He will have a 5-inch reach advantage and will likely retreat behind his jab, awaiting an opening. He lands the highest percentage of punches thrown of any boxer.
By contrast, ‘The Fighting Pride of the Philippines’ will use his speed to close down any space, throwing a flurry of punches, not being afraid to miss or get hit, in the hope that he can hurry his opponent into making a mistake.
I believe this will be a closer fight than the bookmakers are currently predicting. It is the fact that Pacquiao has lost five fights – and the manner of his defeat to Marquez – that sees Mayweather as a heavy favourite. This fight pits an orthodox boxer against a southpaw, it is science against speed, defence against attack.
The quality of the show for the casual observer will depend on which style comes out on top.
Both men have showed signs of slowing since the pinnacle of their careers, particularly Pacquiao after he was left twitching, face down on the canvas by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, believes that the constant holding by Mayweather of Marcos Maidana in their second fight was a sure sign that his legs are slowing.
Many believe that the ‘Pac-Man’s’ loss to Marquez has made him a better fighter; certainly one better suited to fighting Mayweather where he will need to curb his natural enthusiasm.
One man who will now have to watch from ringside is Britain’s Amir Khan, who was negotiating with both camps for a shot at a world title bout and a massive payday.
However, getting a seat may prove difficult as the minimum price of the 18,000 seats is being marketed at $30,000 while the hotel sold out every one of its 3,000 rooms within minutes of the fight being announced.
There is always pay-per-view with access to the fight expected to be sold for $100. Predictions suggest this fight will fly past the current record of 2.4m viewers, which was set when Mayweather fought Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.
While Mayweather claims to be ‘The Best Ever’ (TBE), this is certainly a fight between the two best boxers of their generation and it is rare to have an opportunity to watch two such gladiators of their sport go toe-to-toe.
The winner is likely to be the one who wants it more, with Pacquiao fighting for the honour of his country and Mayweather to defend his record.
With each boxer due to earn in excess of $100million (approximately BD38million) for this fight (Mayweather will make no less than $150million – approximately BD57million), this may seem a little odd. Yet from a career perspective, it is a fight that neither can afford to lose.
