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 A duel between the defence-minded Mayweather and the aggressive
Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has been
savoured by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the
world's best pound-for-pound fighter.
Showtime and HBO will jointly broadcast the bout, which is one of
the most eagerly anticipated in boxing since the classic 1975
'Thrilla in Manila' between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
However, both Mayweather, 37, and Pacquiao, 36, are in the twilight
of their respective careers and most pundits say they have lost some
of their skills in the ring.
"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American
Mayweather, who has a perfect record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts, said
on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on
May 2, 2015 is a done deal.
"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will
make history on May 2nd. Don't miss it!"
Mayweather made a late-night trip to Pacquiao's hotel in Miami last
month to discuss the possibility of a showdown, and the Filipino
southpaw, an eight-division world champion, signed the contract for
the bout on Thursday.
"I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this
fight happen helped get the deal done," Mayweather said in a
statement. "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. I am
the best ever ... and this fight will be another opportunity to
showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win.
"Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he
won't be successful. He will be number 48."
Pacquiao, who has a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts, said in a
statement: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the
fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. 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."
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A 60-40 SPLIT
The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most
lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to have a 60-40
split advantage on revenues, earning a minimum of $120 million and
Pacquiao at least $80 million.
"Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao,
knows this fight simply had to happen," Stephen Espinoza, general
manager for Showtime Sports, said in a statement.
"All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing
fans around the world."
Pacquiao lost much of his appeal after successive defeats to
American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012,
prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since
bounced back with three impressive wins.
Five-division world champion Mayweather, who is known for his shrewd
business acumen, had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until
negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug
testing.
Mayweather has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how
Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight
weight classes.
Mayweather announced last September, after he scored a dominant win
over Argentine Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas in his most recent bout,
that he would retire in late 2015 when his Showtime contract ends,
after two more fights.
(Editing by Steve Keating)
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