FLOYD MAYWEATHER AND Manny Pacquiao are set to finally fight on 2 May in what is already predicted to become the biggest boxing event of all-time.
After years of ducking and dodging, the two pound-for-pound kings will meet in the MGM Grand Las Vegas for a showdown which is reportedly worth $250 million.
“What the world has been waiting for has arrived,” the undefeated Mayweather wrote on Friday night.
“Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did.
Bookmakers immediately made Mayweather, who is the WBA, WBC and Ring welterweight champion with 47 wins and no defeats in his 18-year pro career, the 1/3 favourite. Pacquaio, who has 57 wins and five defeats with two draws, currently holds the WBO title and stands as boxing’s only eight-division champion.
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Pacquiao was sleeping in the Philippines when the fight was announced, but his camp issued a statement saying the fans deserve the long awaited fight.
“It is an honor to be part of this historic event,” the 36-year-old said.
“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.”
As part of the agreement Mayweather — who turns 38 on Thursday — insisted on having the right to announce the bout. He also won concessions from the Pacquiao camp on who enters the ring first, what type of gloves are used, and a number of other issues, including a reported 60-40 split of the purse.
It leaves “Money” in line to make upwards of $150m for his night’s work while Pacquiao can expect to pocket in the region of $100m.
Mayweather added: “I am the best ever, TBE, 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’s promoter Bob Arum expressed his elation in making the fight, while trainer Freddie Roach predicted a big win for his fighter.
“Floyd should enjoy being the A-Side while he can because on May 2 Manny is going to put him on his backside,” Roach said.
Arum, who has promoted some of the biggest fights in history, said this one would be bigger than them all.
The mega-fight, which brings rival US TV networks HBO and Showtime together, is expected to easily be the highest grossing in boxing history. ESPN’s Dan Rafael reports that pay-per-view prices in America could begin at $89.95 (€80).
“This boxing match will have the interest in the US of a Super Bowl,” Arum told The Associated Press.
“I think it will set all kinds of pay-per-view records and gate records. It will be the biggest boxing event of all time.”
“Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen,” said Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports Executive Vice President.
“All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world.”
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been “the two most prominent fighters in the sport of boxing for the past decade,” HBO Sports President Ken Hershman said.
“Fight fans around the world have been clamouring for them to face each other. And now, on 2 May, in what everyone believes will be the biggest boxing event of all-time, fight fans have been granted their wish.”
This. Is. Happening - Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao confirmed for 2 May
Updated 00.25, 21 Feb
FLOYD MAYWEATHER AND Manny Pacquiao are set to finally fight on 2 May in what is already predicted to become the biggest boxing event of all-time.
After years of ducking and dodging, the two pound-for-pound kings will meet in the MGM Grand Las Vegas for a showdown which is reportedly worth $250 million.
“What the world has been waiting for has arrived,” the undefeated Mayweather wrote on Friday night.
“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!”
Bookmakers immediately made Mayweather, who is the WBA, WBC and Ring welterweight champion with 47 wins and no defeats in his 18-year pro career, the 1/3 favourite. Pacquaio, who has 57 wins and five defeats with two draws, currently holds the WBO title and stands as boxing’s only eight-division champion.
Pacquiao was sleeping in the Philippines when the fight was announced, but his camp issued a statement saying the fans deserve the long awaited fight.
“It is an honor to be part of this historic event,” the 36-year-old said.
“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.”
As part of the agreement Mayweather — who turns 38 on Thursday — insisted on having the right to announce the bout. He also won concessions from the Pacquiao camp on who enters the ring first, what type of gloves are used, and a number of other issues, including a reported 60-40 split of the purse.
It leaves “Money” in line to make upwards of $150m for his night’s work while Pacquiao can expect to pocket in the region of $100m.
Mayweather added: “I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum expressed his elation in making the fight, while trainer Freddie Roach predicted a big win for his fighter.
“Floyd should enjoy being the A-Side while he can because on May 2 Manny is going to put him on his backside,” Roach said.
Arum, who has promoted some of the biggest fights in history, said this one would be bigger than them all.
The mega-fight, which brings rival US TV networks HBO and Showtime together, is expected to easily be the highest grossing in boxing history. ESPN’s Dan Rafael reports that pay-per-view prices in America could begin at $89.95 (€80).
“This boxing match will have the interest in the US of a Super Bowl,” Arum told The Associated Press.
“I think it will set all kinds of pay-per-view records and gate records. It will be the biggest boxing event of all time.”
“Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen,” said Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports Executive Vice President.
“All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world.”
Pacquiao and Mayweather have been “the two most prominent fighters in the sport of boxing for the past decade,” HBO Sports President Ken Hershman said.
“Fight fans around the world have been clamouring for them to face each other. And now, on 2 May, in what everyone believes will be the biggest boxing event of all-time, fight fans have been granted their wish.”
– Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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