Move over Frazier and Ali: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather may lay claim to the title Fight of The Century.
The two boxers finally set aside their differences and agreed to fight at the MGM Grand Garden on May 2.
For years, boxing fans had wanted the two to face off, but it never happened until now.
“I don’t think Mayweather wanted the fight for a long time,” boxing writer for the Associated Press Tim Dahlberg told KNPR’s State of Nevada, “It is a fight that either has to happen now or it’s never going to happen.”
The fight is expected to be a massive payday for both the boxers and for Las Vegas. Estimates are 38-year-old Mayweather will earn some $120 million and 36-year-old Pacquiao about $80 million.
The split of money and the location are both terms laid out by Mayweather but Dahlberg believes Pacquiao really didn’t have a choice, if he wanted the match to move forward.
Retired boxing judge Chuck Giampa said the key to the whole match will be experienced judges and a good referee.
And despite the criticism that the fight should have happened five years ago, Giampa believes it will still be a good fight.
“It would have been a nice fight five years ago,” Giampa said, “There is not a lot of good fights in them.”
Dahlberg agrees that the fight has potential.
“I don’t know if will be a great fight,” the writer said, “It’s got the potential to be a very interesting fight.”
No matter which fighter has his fist raised above his head at the end of the fight, Las Vegas will be the real winner.
“It will be great for the casinos,” Dahlberg said. “It will be quite a weekend for Las Vegas”
Pacquiao has lost two fights, including one knockout, while Mayweather continues to be undefeated.
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