Egos have been aligned. Money has been stacked in a snow-capped pile. Competing premium cable networks have joined in unholy alliance. And, so, they say, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally will fight on May 2.
There will be much noise between now and a day formerly known as Kentucky Derby Saturday. Again, they (the voices of boxing, who don?t sound like Burgess Meredith anymore) say it will be the richest fight ever. Mayweather may earn $120 million, Pacquiao ?only? $80 million. By contrast, the Cavs will pay LeBron James one-fourth of Pacquiao?s share for an entire season?s labor.
Why so filthily lucrative? Basically because it is the only fight out there capable of marketing itself to a public indifferent toward boxing, a.k.a. the earth?s entire population.
It is a superfight like they used to make them, back before Mike Tyson tattooed his own face and Sugar Ray Leonard?s retina threw in the towel.
Manny Pacquiao on his way to a 12-round decision over Chris Algieri last year, and a huge payday this year. (Getty Images)
Five years ago, Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been even more compelling. But, dancing around issues like drug testing and purse split, they avoided one another. They are both past their primes ? Pacquiao 36, Mayweather 38. Pacquiao is 3-2 in his last five fights and has had no knockouts since 2009. All six of his victories in the last six years have gone the distance. The unbeaten Mayweather has had one KO in his last eight fights. A Hagler-Hearns-type brawl is not on the horizon.
The largest question out there does not involve the punching power or the hunger of either fighter.
Rather, it?s this: Would you pay nearly $100 to watch these two apply their art in the ring? The pay-per-view is reportedly going to edge toward that unexplored triple-digit territory. The real impact of this fight will be measured in man caves throughout America.
The great intrigue of Mayweather-Pacquiao involves consumer choice, one that I?m already struggling with. Just how much is it worth to witness the last great gasp of a dying sport?
