AS boxing fans world-wide celebrate the news about the forthcoming May 2, 2015, bout, arguably the most anticipated fight in boxing history, Mayweather-Pacquao, it’s important to reflect on its significance.
Mayweather, 47-0, KO26 announced on social media this past week he’s fighting Manny Pacquiao 64-57 (KO 38) – 5 (KO 3)-2. After some 30 hours of anticipation, Floyd made it official via “Shots,” a smartphone photo app he has invested in.
It’s amazing that a fight that seemed headed for the would-have-happened list has survived to become reality six years down the line.
Pacquiao, who has conceded much in this fight, accepting a lower purse (40-60 to Mayweather must be given credit for putting fans ahead of self. I shudder to imagine what would have happened to this fight had he insisted, as he did initially, on a 50-50 split with his rival.
“I’m not desperate to fight him just for the sake of money or material things. I’m not the one seeking this fight, rather it’s the boxing fans all over the world,” stated the multi-division world champion, who made it crystal clear that money is not his motivating factor to face undefeated pound-for-pound king Mayweather.
For his part, Mayweather must also be praised for finally agreeing to take the fight regardless of the outcome so that he can shed off the perception that he was a “coward” whom some fans had begun to call him. If indeed he was a coward, I doubt he would have accepted the fight despite his lion’s share of the princely purse.
This fight, for Floyd, is also about timing, according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, quoting Mayweather.
“I knew eventually it would happen, but everything takes time,” said Mayweather, who first entered into talks to fight Pacquiao in late 2009 for what was supposed to be an early 2010 bout.
“Everything in life is about timing. I waited until the time was right. I think the timing is right now because I’m a lot bigger status-wise than I was,” he said. I’m pretty sure that Manny Pacquiao, he is bigger, too. I have a lot of fans and he has a lot of fans and the fans around the world have been anticipating the fight for a long time.”
This fight is not just about two of the best welterweights of their generation. For Pacquiao, it’s about bringing “glory to the Philippines” and he has vowed: “I will be representing my fans and my country.” He says he will win because he believes God will be in control for him.
You could say the same for his rival, Mayweather who, in addition, will be fighting for his legacy and will give it his best shot to ensure Pacquiao does not remove the ‘0’ from his unblemished record and, thereby, inch closer to the iconic 49-0 record achieved by Rocky Marciano in the 50s.
The fight has stalled for years partly because the Mayweather camp insisted on strict Olympic style pre-fight drug testing which Pacquiao was initially reluctant to accept, but eventually gave in. Then, Mayweather demanded a 60-40 split of the purse.
The May 2 bout could gross up to $200 million – the highest ever in boxing, according to the AP.
The other sticking points were broadcasting and pay-per-view issues which have since been resolved.
Mayweather sums up the fight: “This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on May 2. I am the best ever… and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is winning. Manny is going to try to do what 47 (others) before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48 (loser).” Fans, who do you think will win? Comments: mwale.simon@yahoo.co.uk / 0966 755 574/0953744074