(CNN Philippines) — Exactly six years ago, two big news from boxing made headlines in newspapers and sports websites around the world: the epic knockout win of Manny Pacquiao over British superstar Ricky Hatton, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. partly stealing the thunder from Pacman by announcing his return from brief retirement.
It was also on that very same day — May 2, 2009 — when the idea of a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather megabout first floated. A fight so big, so monumental that the mere mention of the protagonists involved would instantly shatter a lot of boxing records even before they climb the ring.
They were the two biggest names in boxing six years ago — and still are, six years later. It’s a fistic duel so historic it’s aptly billed as the "Fight of the Century."
It’s the "Super Bowl of Boxing." It’s even being hyped as one of the biggest sports events of all-time.
It’s a ring faceoff destined to happen.
Finally, the fight the world anxiously waited for six long years fulfills its date with destiny on Saturday, May 2 (Sunday, May 3, PHT) with the two demigods of boxing — the eight-division world champion Pacquiao and undefeated reigning pound-for-pound king Mayweather — locking horns in 12-round welterweight supermatch billed as the biggest and richest event in boxing history.
All eyes are set at the posh MGM Grand Garden Arena, the iconic boxing venue at the end of the Las Vegas strip, where only the fabulously rich and very famous hold golden tickets to the heavily secured 16,800-seat arena. Tickets for the fight, ranging from $3,500 (P154,875) to $250,000 (P11.06 million), were reportedly sold-out in record-breaking fashion within minutes after it went on-sale last week. It is also expected to shatter pay-per-view records with each PPV buy costing $89 (P3,938) for standard definition and $99 (P4,380) for high definition.
The fight, also billed as "Battle for Greatness," is likewise pegged to generate hundreds of millions of dollars with Mayweather getting a 60-40 split of the kitty or a conservative take-home pay of $160 million (P7.08 trillion) while Pacquiao stands to get at least $100 million (P4.4 trillion).
Come fight night, Pacquiao will have in his corner long-time trainer Freddie Roach, assistant Buboy Fernandez, and cutman Justine Fortune, while Floyd Sr. (trainer), Roger Mayweather (assistant), and Rafael Garcia (cutman) will be on Floyd’s side.
Veteran referee Kenny Bayless will be the third man atop the ring, while the three judges carefully selected for the fight are Dave Moretti, Glenn Feldman, and Burt Clements.
The Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, will be performed by Filipino-American Gail Banawis from New York. She will be joined by a group of singing pastors who flew in from the Philippines for the fight.
The U.S. national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, on the other hand, will be performed by Academy and Grammy Award winner and avid boxing fan, Jamie Foxx.
Pacquiao’s charisma and crowd support, meanwhile, were clearly evident during the official weigh-in Saturday (May 2, PHT) as the 36-year-old Filipino icon was welcomed by deafening cheers from his supporters on the eve of his hotly anticipated welterweight showdown with the 38-year-old undefeated American.
Pacquiao, 57-5-2 (38 knockouts), tipped the scales at 145 pounds while Mayweather, 47-0 (26 KOs) and a 2-1 favorite, hit the scales at 146 pounds.
Throngs of fans crowded the glitzy Las Vegas for the chance to see the two boxers’ final stare-down ahead of their megafight.
As a testament to the inflated pricing for everything associated with the fight, fans were paying upwards of $350 (P15,487) for ticket to the weigh-in that have a face value of $10 (P442.50).
That number is consistent with the enormity of the event that is generating huge numbers that are expected to eclipse any in boxing's long history.
Fight promoters are preparing for an Oscars' worthy red carpet on Sunday (PHT) with a who's who of Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck sitting ringside, according to a list obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
World number one golfer Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who are playing in the elite WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco, will both be seated on the flooring, flying to Las Vegas in a private jet Saturday after wrapping up their round.
With thousands of fight fans descending on Las Vegas just to be close to the buzz, casinos up-and-down the Strip are cashing in, with sky-high room rates and VIP parties and events.
Many hotels are charging $1,000 (P44,250) a night while lodging at the fight headquarters the MGM Grand will set you back $1,600 (P70,800) to $1,750 (P77,437) a night.
($1 = P44.25)
Reuters contributed to this report.
It was also on that very same day — May 2, 2009 — when the idea of a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather megabout first floated. A fight so big, so monumental that the mere mention of the protagonists involved would instantly shatter a lot of boxing records even before they climb the ring.
They were the two biggest names in boxing six years ago — and still are, six years later. It’s a fistic duel so historic it’s aptly billed as the "Fight of the Century."
It’s the "Super Bowl of Boxing." It’s even being hyped as one of the biggest sports events of all-time.
It’s a ring faceoff destined to happen.
Finally, the fight the world anxiously waited for six long years fulfills its date with destiny on Saturday, May 2 (Sunday, May 3, PHT) with the two demigods of boxing — the eight-division world champion Pacquiao and undefeated reigning pound-for-pound king Mayweather — locking horns in 12-round welterweight supermatch billed as the biggest and richest event in boxing history.
All eyes are set at the posh MGM Grand Garden Arena, the iconic boxing venue at the end of the Las Vegas strip, where only the fabulously rich and very famous hold golden tickets to the heavily secured 16,800-seat arena. Tickets for the fight, ranging from $3,500 (P154,875) to $250,000 (P11.06 million), were reportedly sold-out in record-breaking fashion within minutes after it went on-sale last week. It is also expected to shatter pay-per-view records with each PPV buy costing $89 (P3,938) for standard definition and $99 (P4,380) for high definition.
The fight, also billed as "Battle for Greatness," is likewise pegged to generate hundreds of millions of dollars with Mayweather getting a 60-40 split of the kitty or a conservative take-home pay of $160 million (P7.08 trillion) while Pacquiao stands to get at least $100 million (P4.4 trillion).
Come fight night, Pacquiao will have in his corner long-time trainer Freddie Roach, assistant Buboy Fernandez, and cutman Justine Fortune, while Floyd Sr. (trainer), Roger Mayweather (assistant), and Rafael Garcia (cutman) will be on Floyd’s side.
Veteran referee Kenny Bayless will be the third man atop the ring, while the three judges carefully selected for the fight are Dave Moretti, Glenn Feldman, and Burt Clements.
The Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, will be performed by Filipino-American Gail Banawis from New York. She will be joined by a group of singing pastors who flew in from the Philippines for the fight.
The U.S. national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, on the other hand, will be performed by Academy and Grammy Award winner and avid boxing fan, Jamie Foxx.
Pacquiao’s charisma and crowd support, meanwhile, were clearly evident during the official weigh-in Saturday (May 2, PHT) as the 36-year-old Filipino icon was welcomed by deafening cheers from his supporters on the eve of his hotly anticipated welterweight showdown with the 38-year-old undefeated American.
Pacquiao, 57-5-2 (38 knockouts), tipped the scales at 145 pounds while Mayweather, 47-0 (26 KOs) and a 2-1 favorite, hit the scales at 146 pounds.
Throngs of fans crowded the glitzy Las Vegas for the chance to see the two boxers’ final stare-down ahead of their megafight.
As a testament to the inflated pricing for everything associated with the fight, fans were paying upwards of $350 (P15,487) for ticket to the weigh-in that have a face value of $10 (P442.50).
That number is consistent with the enormity of the event that is generating huge numbers that are expected to eclipse any in boxing's long history.
Fight promoters are preparing for an Oscars' worthy red carpet on Sunday (PHT) with a who's who of Hollywood, including Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck sitting ringside, according to a list obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
World number one golfer Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who are playing in the elite WGC-Cadillac Match Play in San Francisco, will both be seated on the flooring, flying to Las Vegas in a private jet Saturday after wrapping up their round.
With thousands of fight fans descending on Las Vegas just to be close to the buzz, casinos up-and-down the Strip are cashing in, with sky-high room rates and VIP parties and events.
Many hotels are charging $1,000 (P44,250) a night while lodging at the fight headquarters the MGM Grand will set you back $1,600 (P70,800) to $1,750 (P77,437) a night.
($1 = P44.25)
Reuters contributed to this report.
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