01 May 2015

Pacquiao vs Mayweather: 10 Things You Need To Know

When Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao step into the ring Saturday night, everyone -- from the hardcore boxing fans to those who normally couldn't care less about the sport -- will be tuning in. It's the fight of the Century. The two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. After five years of buildup, Mayweather-Pacquiao is projected to smash all previous pay-per-view records.

That, in a nutshell, is what you need to know about this fight. Here's everything else.

1. How can I watch the fight?

Well, you'll have to pay. Coverage for the fight begins at 9 p.m. ET and in order to see that coverage, you'll have to pay roughly $90 to $100 for pay-per-view, depending on if you go with standard definition or high definition.


If you're visiting Las Vegas, chances are you'll have to attend a closed-circuit viewing party. Because the MGM has exclusive rights, non MGM properties in Las Vegas can't televise the fight. So, head over to an MGM property and pay $150 if you want to watch it.

Bottom line: It'll cost you something -- unless you live in Mexico, of course.

2. Are tickets still available?

Now, if you want to actually attend the fight in person, that's a completely different story. It'll still cost you, but we're talking about a whole new world.

When tickets were initially released last week, they sold out in one minute. So if you want to grab a ticket, you'll have to do so on the secondary market. And, as we've reported more than a few times, those tickets aren't going to be cheap. As of Wednesday afternoon, the least expensive ticket on StubHub can be purchased for $3,279.99. The priciest ticket can be bought for -- wait for it -- $351,005.25.

According to Sports Illustrated, the average price for tickets sold on StubHub is $6,820.

So, yes -- tickets are still available. But you better bring your checkbook.

3. Why is this fight such a big deal?

Yes, it's true -- five years ago, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao may have been a better fight. Today, the fighters are on the back nine of their primes, but again, they're still considered the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. And besides, the buildup is a big reason why this fight is such a huge deal.

For five years, boxing fans have dreamed of a matchup like this. Mayweather is undefeated in his career, 47-0, two wins shy of Rocky Marciano's iconic 49-0 career record. A win would further his rather bold claim that he is, indeed, the greatest fighter of all time. A win for Pacquiao, on the other hand, makes its own kind of history. The Filipino superstar would forever be the man who took the zero off Floyd Mayweather's record.

And we've waited five years to see it.

This fight might not return boxing to its glory days, but for one night, as it was in the days of Hagler-Hearns ...

... back when every hair on our bodies was standing on end when a young Mike Tyson climbed through the ropes ...

... Mayweather-Pacquiao will remind us of the time when fighters were kings. This fight is about more than the welterweight title. It's about legacies. It's about how we will ultimately remember two of the greatest fighters of their generation.

4. What are the styles of each fighter?

Styles make fights, and this one is no different. Mayweather is the crafty, savvy boxer, a defensive wizard. During his prime years, Mayweather was only hit with 16 percent of his opponents' punches. He hasn't slowed much at all in most people's eye, but if anyone can break is going to break through the defense and land some meaningful blows on Mayweather, Pacquiao is the guy.

Pacquiao, one of the most aggressive, offensive forces of his generation, is the perfect contrast to Mayweather's conservative style. It won't be easy. You don't connect often on Mayweather so you have to be even more active. Our Jason Keidel believes Pacquiao needs to throw upwards of 800 punches to have a shot to win.

But of course, it only takes one punch to knock someone out. Even Mayweather. And many people, including Manny's trainer Freddie Roach, believe Pacquiao is the man who will finally KO Mayweather.

Even Mike Tyson says Manny's "perpetual motion" will ultimately win out.

Did we mention there's some intrigue to this fight?

5. Who are the trainers?

They're good -- both of them. Freddie Roach is Pacquiao's trainer and Floyd Mayweather Sr. is training his son.

Roach has won Trainer of the Year on more than a few occasions, and Mayweather Sr. is at least partially responsible for teaching Mayweather Jr. the defensive techniques that make him so unbeatable.

Since the fight was announced, Roach, in particular, has been taking shots and Mayweather's father, saying Floyd was better off when his uncle Roger was training him. Roach went so far as to say Mayweather would be at a disadvantage some May 2 with his father in his corner.

Trainers matter. They keep a fighter calm during the heat of battle. They see things in the opponent that can be exploited. Don't underestimate the importance of these two men Saturday night.

6. Who is the referee?

Kenny Bayless will be the third person inside the ring. Bayless is experienced and has refereed fights that have featured both Mayweather and Pacquiao in the past. Despite his experience, there are some who think Bayless will favor Mayweather on Saturday. Oscar De La Hoya said the selection of Bayless was "one point for Mayweather right there."

Still, even Roach said that he thought Bayless would give Pacquiao and Mayweather a "fair fight."

7. Who is the favorite in the fight?

It's Floyd Mayweather. He's 47-0, and he's receiving 60 percent of the split while Pacquiao only gets 40 percent. According to the latest odds posted on Bovada, Mayweather is listed at -225 and Pacquiao is listed at +175.

This is Mayweather's fight to win, but don't be shocked if Pacquiao pulls off the upset. There's a reason why fans have been calling for this fight for years -- Pacquiao is Mayweather's biggest test.

8. How much money are the two fighters going to make?

According to John Branch of the New York Times, each fighter will make more than $100 million. It'll probably end up being more.

The answer to the question: Too much.

9. Who will win?

Predictions are pretty divided. Mike Tyson has maintained for a while now that he believes in Pacquiao. George Foreman agreed with Tyson. But, while De La Hoya said he was leaning towards Pacquiao, he wrote in the Los Angeles Times that the "smart money is on Mayweather."

This video gives you an idea of which fighter celebrities are backing in the fight, while this one will give you an idea of who the analysts think will win.

As I said, opinions are split.

10. Will there be a rematch?

It's unknown at this point, but it's definitely not looking likely. For starters, Mayweather has hinted at retirement. And oh yeah, there's also this bit of evidence...


Six months ago, people probably thought the Fight of the Century wasn't likely, so don't lose hope. But it's probably best to enjoy the fight while we got it.

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