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 The richest prize fight of all-time will give each fighter a
multi-million-dollar payday and smash pay-per-view numbers while
eye-popping ticket prices, out of reach for all but the rich and
famous, will see the 16,800-seat MGM Grand Garden Arena rival the
Super Bowl in gate receipts.
There is a garish championship belt embossed with 3,000 emeralds on
the line along with the mythical title of world's best
pound-for-pound fighter but more significantly it is a bout that
could cement a boxing legacy and a fight on which the future of the
sport could hang.
Five-plus years in the making, all the hype and elements are in
place to elevate the welterweight showdown into one of those
memorable watershed sporting moments.
Or it could be a flop, providing another blow for a sport that is
just starting to lift itself back off the canvas.
"This fight has been talked about for so long the anticipation now
people are really looking forward to it and willing to pay any price
to watch it," Oscar De La Hoya, one of the few boxers to fight
Mayweather and Pacquiao, told Reuters.
"It this fight is dull, if it's a dud then that can really affect
the overall game but if it is an exciting fight, a fight people want
to see again, it can take boxing to new heights."
With tickets on the resale market commanding over $100,000 for
ringside seats and close to 3 million people expected to pay $100 on
pay-per-view, the undefeated Mayweather (47-0) and Filipino southpaw
(57-5-2) will be expected to produce a spectacle worthy of such
princely price tags.
The fight will be a classic matchup of boxing styles.
Considered one of the best defensive fighters of all-time,
Mayweather is crafty with a superior ring intelligence that has
allowed him to survive nearly two decades in the ring by avoiding
danger.
In contrast, Pacquiao brings an all-out attacking style to the
showdown, a hard puncher capable of landing a knockout shot that
could hand Mayweather his first professional defeat.
While the fight is the most anticipated in decades, for most boxing
experts it comes a half-decade too late with both fighters past
their prime.
The 38-year-old American may not be as slick or fast as he was while
there are questions about Pacquiao's power, the 36-year-old having
not scored a knockout win since 2009 when he floored Briton Ricky
Hatton in the second round.
"The ingredients are there and it is only because of Pacquiao," said
De La Hoya, who lost to both men. "We know what Mayweather is going
to do, we've been there, we've done that but the one person who can
make this fight an exciting one is Pacquiao.
"He has a relentless style; he will be the one pressing the action.
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"It all depends on Pacquiao."
For Mayweather, it will be his 11th consecutive fight at the MGM
Grand but it is Pacquiao who will have an entire nation in his
corner.
A politician, philanthropist, recording artist and action movie
star, Pacquiao is a national hero in his homeland where his image
has featured on a postage stamp and video games.
His rags-to-riches story of a young man who once lived on the hard
scrabble Manila streets is inspiring, a source of motivation
Pacquiao routinely draws upon,
"I can't imagine the boy who was starving and sleeping on the street
has become what I am now," said the eight-division world champion
known as Pacman. "I have a good feeling for this fight.
"For me, it's about how we can make the fans happy. They are paying
big money ... so they deserve to have a good fight."
For Mayweather the fight is one that will define his legacy and
place among the pantheon of boxing greats.
Even if Mayweather were to retire with an unbeaten record there
would have always be a question mark hanging over his career if he
never clashed with his great Filipino rival.
"This fight is about one fighter who is at the top fighting another
fighter who is at the top. It's about giving you guys excitement,"
said Mayweather. "We don't know how this fight is going to play out,
but I believe in my skills. I believe I am going to be victorious.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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