LOS ANGELES, United States ? The hours are counting down to the Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Manny Pacquiao fight, which takes place Saturday, May 2 (May 3 in the Philippines) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From now until the final bell, it?ll be difficult to turn on a news program and not hear mention of this fight. It has been billed as ?The Fight of the Century,? and referred to as ?The Biggest Fight of All-Time.?
If you haven?t followed boxing in a long time, or the sport is just now piquing your curiosity, don?t be ashamed. Boxing isn?t everyone?s cup of tea due to its violent nature, and it hasn?t received the wide exposure that sports leagues like the NBA, NFL or MLB have.
You may be wondering, why is this fight such a big deal, and how can I learn enough about the two to foster a rooting interest? Well, you?re in luck. Here are some questions that you may have about the fight and the sport, and hopefully by fight night you?ll be able to impress your friends with your boxing knowledge.
Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao is a 36-year-old prizefighter from General Santos City, Philippines. He has won world titles in an unprecedented 8 weight classes. He is a national hero in his home country, and dominates nearly every facet of the public consciousness there.
He is a sitting two-term congressman and is rumored to be running for the Senate in 2016. He appears on billboards on major highways all over the country. He has appeared in numerous movies, and released two music albums. He is the international face of the country to many people around the world.
Pacquiao won his first world title in 1998 at flyweight (112 pounds) and won his second championship in his United States debut in 2001 at junior featherweight (122 pounds). He first became recognized as one of the best boxers in the world when he dominated Marco Antonio Barrera to win the featherweight (126 pounds) championship in 2003.
Pacquiao has since collected world titles at junior lightweight (130 pounds), lightweight (135 pounds), junior welterweight (140 pounds), welterweight (147 pounds) and junior middleweight (154 pounds).
Pacquiao was named the Fighter of the Decade by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2010. He has made fans around the world with his Devil May Care attacking style and knockout power.
He once was known as a womanizing partier but has cleaned up his act in recent years and became deeply involved in religion. He regularly quotes Bible passages and holds prayer services at his home. It is said there is no crime in the Philippines when he fights because everyone stops to watch the fight.
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Floyd Mayweather Jr is a 38-year-old boxer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, but he now resides in Las Vegas. He is regarded as the sport?s best fighter due to his unbeaten boxing record and technical ability that has minimized the amount of punches he has taken in his career.
Mayweather won a bronze medal for the United States as an amateur boxer at the 1996 Olympics, and turned professional later that year. He also won his first world title in 1998 and has won championships in a total of 5 divisions.
His 2007 fight with Oscar de la Hoya set a record for most pay-per-views sold at 2.48 million while his 2013 fight with Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez set a record for greatest PPV revenue at $150 million.
Outside of the ring, Mayweather once wrestled The Big Show at WrestleMania, has competed on Dancing with the Stars, and has been associated with music artists 50 Cent, Justin Bieber and Lil? Wayne.
Mayweather often trash talks his opponents to build up hype for his fights. His social media accounts are full of photos of him hanging out at strip clubs or showing off his cash, jewelry and expensive designer clothes. His home has its own Twitter account. He can be best described as a modernized version of Ric Flair.
Who comprises their teams?
Pacquiao is trained by Freddie Roach, a former lightweight contender in the 1980s. Roach was trained by Eddie Futch, who is regarded by many as the greatest trainer of all-time. Pacquiao and Roach have worked together since 2001.
Pacquiao?s promoter is Top Rank, which is headed by Bob Arum. Top Rank promoted Mayweather from his pro debut until 2007. Pacquiao?s assistant trainers include his best friend Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri. His cutman (the person who stops bleeding and alleviates facial swelling) is Miguel Diaz. His advisor Michael Koncz handles much of his day-to-day business.
