Mayweather-Pacquiao fight draws international attention

The two greatest boxers of this generation are set to slug on Saturday

Christopher Hunter, Reporter

Fifteen years in, and we’re a few days from seeing “the fight of the century.”

Just seven years ago, after knocking out Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd “Money” Mayweather retired from boxing as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Less than four months later he returned to boxing with the words “I left on top, I came back on top.” Shortly thereafter, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao took over the number one pound-for-pound ranking by beating Juan Manuel Marquez. With it, the plot-line was set for perhaps the biggest fight of our generation.

Since that Sept. 2009 fight, the world has watched and waited in anticipation. Who doesn’t want to see the best pound-for-pound fighter take on an undefeated fighter who carried that accolade into retirement? Many roadblocks have been in the way, including purse split, drug testing, and broadcast rights. Even Bob Arum (Pacquiao’s fight promoter) himself received blame. Of course, who hasn’t been blamed by Mayweather, save Mayweather himself? Not even Nelson Mandela’s daughter could get the fight going for her father’s 93rd birthday. All hope seemed lost in September 2012 when Pacquiao was KO’d by the same man he beat to inherit the pound-for-pound title.

The boxing gods could not let this be. They intervened in the form of a chance meeting between “Pacman” and “Money” at a Milwaukee Bucks NBA game in December 2014. The fighters exchanged cell numbers, which is probably the single greatest thing that occurred to make this fight happen. Three short months later, contracts were signed and the “fight of the century” was born: Mayweather, an orthodox boxer with a record of 47-0 and 26 KO, and Pacquiao, a southpaw with a 57-5-2 record and 38 KO, are set to unify the welterweight belts.

Pacquiao, a 2-1 underdog, is clearly the heavier hitter, but finds himself up against perhaps the best tactician to ever box. According to gmanetwork.com, 61% of experts believe Mayweather will prevail. But the fight itself is not as crazy as the numbers involved. The MGM Grand Garden Arena’s $15,000 are expected to generate $74 million in revenue.

Not to mention the money people will make on secondary sales. On ebay.com one anonymous fan paid $40,000 to watch the fight with Evander Holyfield. Even beer is bringing in the money. Corona’s $5.2 million bid to be the official beer of the fight was outdone by Tecate’s  $5.6 million winning bid. The money will flow for everybody with this fight, and Mayweather and Pacquiao will have their career earnings pushed over $500 million and $400 million respectively.

Whether you’re a boxing fan or not, this is truly a spectacle for the ages.