Connor Boundy assesses the biggest fight of all time…
Fight week is underway to the biggest boxing event of all time. Floyd Mayweather, undefeated in 47 fights, puts his WBC and WBA welterweight titles on the line against the WBO champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand this Saturday.
The fight has been a massive six years in the making, with both camps blaming the other for why the fight hasn’t happened. But a chance meeting between the two fighters at a Miami Heat game earlier this year triggered the charge for the SuperBowl of boxing to finally materialize.
Mayweather is coming off his two fights against Argentine slugger Marcos Maidana. Even though he won both fights convincingly, he was hit with more punches than we have been used to seeing. Some suggest that the pound-for-pound number one is slowing down and that his legs are not as quick and strong as they used to be. Even so, the 38-year-old has been able to find a way to beat every man he has faced in the ring and is rightly the bookies’ favourite for the fight.
Many suggested than the Filipino icon should have retired when he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012. But three years later, Pacquiao has returned to the top of the sport. With victories over Brandon Rios and Chris Algieri – in between avenging his defeat to Timothy Bradley – the 36-year-old has put that shocking defeat behind him. Southpaw Pacquiao believes his speed and greater punching power will be something Mayweather will struggle to deal with.
Hall-of-fame trainer Freddie Roach has always believed Pacquiao will be the man to end the streak. The seven-time trainer of the year trained Oscar De La Hoya when De La Hoya faced Mayweather back in 2007. Mayweather won by a split decision but found it difficult to deal with the high volume punches of De La Hoya. Add high volume punch output to quick foot work and fast hand speed and who comes to mind? Manny Pacquiao.
Reports have suggested that the fight could make well over 300 to 400 million dollars in revenue. Eclipsing previous record which was the Mayweather-Alvarez fight two years ago. Mayweather will receive a staggering $120 million for the fight. Pacquiao, taking 40% of the spilt, will take home $80 million.