The fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao, expected to be the greatest in the history of boxing is finally happening, after six long year dream of every living boxing fan has become reality. These two world best ring rockers will meet at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on May 2, 2015 and will be live on both HBO & Showtime pay per view (PPV).
The mega action pack world welterweight title unification bout, billed as “Fight of the century” was officially announced on March 14, in a media only Press conference at the Nokia Centre, LA, though the good news was brought to light first by popular online boxing magazine. During the press meeting Mayweather vs Pacquiao tickets price was mentioned to be cost between $1,500 to 7,500 without any confirmed release date.
According to Wikipedia the possibility of this super fight was built up in 2009 when Mayweather defeated Juan Manuel Marquez who had a great chemistry with Pacquiao and it was the first fight after his short retirement. On December 5, 2009 there was a media rumor that Pacman had signed a deal for a 50-50 revenue share offered by Golden Boy Promotions, which was backing “May-Money” then. The eight-page contract paper included some terms to be fixed; Pacquiao should take the scale & step ring first and Mayweather wanted first to be announced & choose the locker room. The most effective term was to take an Olympic-style drug test that actually postponed the negotiation till 2011. On that year the ESPN claimed the Filipino fighter agreed to undergo a drug test only by the Olympic Organization which was declined later by Michael Koncz one of Pacman’s top adviser.
However next year Mayweather offered him an amount of $40 million with no PPV share over phone but Manny wanted 55-45 split, again the deal remained undone. Next two years (2012-13) was full of trash talks, blame games and spicy rumors brought up by the media, everyone thought that it will never happen.
At the end of the 2014 Mayweather himself decided to settle the fight, though he criticized Pacquiao for his back to back loss against Marquez & Bradley. But his concern was reflected in his following quote,
“Let’s make this fight happen for the people and for the fans. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. May 2nd”.
Finally Pacquiao agreed to all the terms and met Mayweather face to face for the first time during the Heat vs Bucks NBA game in Miami on January 27, 2015. Both the fighters are well known basketball fan; they enjoyed the game, at half time they walked into center court to talk in private, exchanged telephone numbers and finally shook hands. According to Michael Koncz Pacquiao’s advisor, that night they met again at Pacquiao’s hotel to talk about the other conflicting issues were stopping the superfight to happen for a long time. This was highlighted in media and some reported that the fight is confirmed; official announcement is coming soon but still there was a debate on PPV broadcast right. At last on Feb 20, 2015, MayMoney confirmed the official settlement of the May 2 mega fight.
Every boxing fan is aware of the cold war between HBO & Showtime, two top network giant of United States; have produced many greatest PPV/Non-PPV boxing events for last 20 more years. Now they have team up to co-produce the biggest boxing pay per view Mayweather v Pacquiao fight live from MGM Grand, Las Vegas. After the Mike Tyson vs Lennox Lewis fight in 2002 it will the 2nd joint broadcast of these two rivals of showbiz. Floyd Mayweather Jr has a 6 fights contract with Showtime, still 2 fights to go and Manny Pacquiao signed new contract with Top Rank last year which is assigned with HBO. So actually they had no other option than split the right to air the most exciting boxing event of the century.
The May 2 mega fight is going to set some new records of revenue generation and Forbes marked this fight as richest fight of boxing history. So let have a look to all possible revenue stream of this mega event. First MGM Grand has 17,000 more seat capacity and average mayweather vs pacquiao tickets price is between $1,500 to 7,500, best live gate sales of $20 million at Mayweather-Alvarez fight will be exceed this time no doubt. Best ever PPV buy record is Mayweather-Canelo fight last year amount of 2.5 million and PPV revenue record $150 million at Mayweather-Canelo fight. IF the estimated pay per revenue of $200 becomes the final score, on May 2 Mayweather will bag $120 while Manny gets $80 million as per the 60-40 agreement of purse split; top pay day of US sports history! Plus both fighter getting rewarded from personal commercial appearance.
Where to watch Mayweather vs Pacquiao Live Stream Online?
You already heard the fight will be live on pay per view at HBO & Showtime, May cost about $90 only available for cable TV owner. Both these channel has online site that streams programs so subscriber can watch on go. But any PPV fight never streamed there and this time there’s a low possibility to be so. Don’t panic, as long as the Top Rank involved, there will be coverage on their web TV. Just keep visiting us for the link or any other free access we find.
