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Pacquiao v/s Mayweather: Who will land the final punch?

A hugely expected clash

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In a clash of titans, Manny Pacquiao will face Floyd Mayweather on Saturday. The highly awaited bout between these two boxing greats seems to have put the boxing world in frenzy. After all it’s a fight that took over five years to materialize. Mayweather made the initial approach back in 2009 and ever since minute yet significant details have halted the fruition of this colossal bout. It’s a fight the fans were yearning to witness. Back in 2010, rapper Snoop Dogg publicly requested Manny to “get in the m*********ing ring” with Floyd. In 2011, Nelson Mandela’s daughter tried to set up the fight as a gift to her father on his 93rd birthday. Insiders were beginning to doubt if both the world champions would ever arrive at a consensus. 

Fast forward to 2015 and we’re less than two weeks away from what is expected to be the most lucrative boxing match of all time.  Floyd’s purse for defending his welterweight title is expected to reach an estimated $180 million.  Manny who gracefully agreed to a 60-40 purse split will take home a little more than $100 million. The ticket prices for the bout are outlandish. According to SeatGeek, an event ticket marketplace, the average ticket price right now hovers around $ 8000. Anyone having plans to book a ringside seat will have to cough up around $80,000 per seat, which is an unimagined amount for any sporting event. 

Their boxing records are unparalleled. Mayweather (age 38) has won all forty- seven of his professional bouts, knocking out his opponents twenty-six times in the process.  Pacquiao (age 36) on the other hand has been beaten five times out of the sixty-four bouts that he has been part of. But Floyd’s unblemished record is a double edged sword. The pressure on Mayweather will be a lot more than on Manny.  Former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson believes Pacquiao has the upper hand, “I thought from the start that Pacquiao is going to win. Floyd doesn't throw nowhere near 100 punches a round. He really plots a lot. And he sits around and he poses”

Speaking purely in terms of boxing technique, both fighters are poles apart in the way they go about their business. This makes for an intriguing watch. Manny’s footwork is an indispensable part of his success. In fact Manny’s doctor prescribed him an anti inflammatory cream for his calves that costs a whopping $1800. His ability to move in on his opponents and dart out in a flash is impeccable. The Filipino Slugger’s signature left hand is the most devastating in boxing history. One of the key aspects that set’s apart the southpaw from his opponents is his ability to land punches from unorthodox angles, making it almost impossible to defend. 

There’s a reason why Mayweather’s nickname is Pretty Boy. He is one of the best defensive fighters of all time and his opponents have an arduous time trying to land a punch on his face. If Manny is a high volume puncher, Floyd is the complete opposite. His accuracy is uncanny. A master counterpuncher, once Mayweather sets up shop at the centre of the ring, he thrives. Tiring his opponents incessantly, his venomous straight right more often than not, causes some serious danger. His precision punches can be attributed to his distinctive work out regiment. His Instagram video shows him chopping wood using an axe, reminiscent of Rock Balboa and his pre fight rituals.

Come May 2nd, whatever transpires in the ring, the only thing certain is that two of the highest paid athletes in the world are about to get a whole lot richer.  Some interesting facts surrounding the mega fight Kenny Bayless, who will officiate the high pressure bout, will pocket $25,000 from the fight. The sixty-four year old has refereed over 100 matches in his extensive career.  Bayless famous catchphrase is, “what I say you must obey”.

Mayweather will wear a $25,000 mouthpiece for his match against Pacquiao. The custom made mouthguard’s will have diamonds, gold flakes and real $100 notes inside them.  “My career's gone on 19 years and I've been able to preserve my smile”, he told TMZ Sports.  Manny Pacquiao is a multifaceted personality. Apart from being a fabulous boxer, the man from Philippines is also a singer. His first album sold more than 1,000,000 copies in his home country. Pac-Man is also an elected official and ran unopposed for his second term as congressman. It is printed into Philippine law that the army will go to Pacquiao's aid if his family is at risk.

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