WATCH ABOVE: A bout between boxing greats Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is being called the “Match of the Century” and the hype is so great it’s expected to be one of the most lucrative sporting events in history. Mike Armstrong reports.
Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are set to touch gloves on Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in what could be one of the richest fights in boxing history.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are two of the most successful boxers in the game with records of 47-0, and 57-5-2, respectively and will fight for the World Boxing Council belt.
The main event likely won’t start before 11 p.m.
Nearly 4 million people are expected to order the fight on TV at $100 each. But if you’re one of the casual sports fans, or someone who might find themselves at a bar on Saturday, here’s what you need to know about the bout billed as the Fight of The Century.
It’s not the first time the two boxers tried to fight
Promoters have tried to negotiate a Mayweather/Pacquiao fight since 2010 but could never reach an agreement with the two fighters.
Media reports suggested the 2010 attempt was torpedoed because Pacquiao wouldn’t agree to Mayweather’s request for random blood and urine testing.
They are both wealthy – and about to get wealthier
The amount of money each fighter gets paid is based on the size of the purse, which is determined by how many people order the fight – and that’s expected to break records.
The purse is being split 60/40 in Mayweather’s favour with some estimates suggesting “Money” Mayweather could get paid nearly $180 million for the fight.
While Pacquiao – worth about $110 million – doesn’t flaunt his money, his rival Mayweather has built a brand around himself showcasing his lavish lifestyle.
Three months ago, Mayweather posted a video of three expensive-looking watches on top of stacks of cash. The video also features a song with the lyrics “I’ve got a lot of cash, and I don’t mind spending it.”
Infographic: A by the numbers look at the Mayweather v. Pacquiao fight.
Manny Pacquiao is a politician
That’s not a euphemism for his likeable nature or wide network of friends. He was elected to congress in the Phillipines in 2010. He won again in 2013, running unopposed in Sarangani.
They’ve both had trouble with the law
Both the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Philippines government have gone after Pacquiao for alleged tax evasion, with the latter going so far as to freeze his assets in his home country.
The dispute arose over the millions he made boxing in the United States as a non-resident alien and whether as a non-citizen and non-resident he has to pay taxes where the money is made, or in the Philippines where he lives but didn’t make the money.
Mayweather too has had his problems with the law with accusations of domestic assault dating back to 2001. According to Grantland.com, Mayweather has been “accused of seven separate assaults against five different women that led to citation or arrest.”
What’s a boxing match without celebrity endorsements?
The fight is in Las Vegas – so naturally it will bring the glitz and glam of celebrities ringside. The two fighters also have their own celebrity friends.
Pacquiao posted photos with stars like Keanu Reeves, Mark Wahlberg, and Mario Lopez in the run up to Saturday’s fight.
According to TMZ.com, Wahlberg and P. Diddy have placed a $250,000 bet on the fight with the rapper putting his money on “Money” Mayweather.
Comments