After five years of waiting, speculating and begging, we can finally confirm that Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will face off on May 2 in Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
The undefeated American boxer announced that all has been ironed out and the contracts have been signed making the single biggest sporting event a reality. "What the world has been waiting for has arrived," announced Mayweather, 37, (via Shots) and attached a photo of the contract showing his signature beside that of Pacquiao, 36.
Floyd Mayweather announces fight with a photo of the signed contract. (via @FloydMayweather/Shots) pic.twitter.com/lnXOe0Ia01
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 20, 2015
"Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don't miss it! This is the signed contract from both fighters. www.themoneyteam.com @melissiarene @moneyyaya @badmedina @theharlemhotboy @lizahernandez23 @rickibrazil @thatjessilee @kitchie," continued Mayweather in the Shots post.
Pacquiao, who has been seen in the media as the fighter who has been pushing the fight to happen, was asleep in his home country, the Philippines, when the fight was announced, reported The Washington Post.
"It is an honor to be part of this historic event," quoted the site of Pacquiao. "I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world."
According to various sources, Pacquiao's camp gave in to a number of concessions that include the right to make the announcement, ring entry, gloves as well as a reported 60-40 split of earnings.
The Odds Are Against Manny Pacquiao
Mayweather Jr, with a stellar 47-0 (26 KO) record faces Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion who has a record of 57-5-2 (38 KO).
Floyd, a five-division world champion, is pegged as favorite for the mega-fight, which has been estimated to generate at least a billion in fight sales. MLive reports that per Las Vegas Superbook, at Westgate Hotel, Mayweather is listed as a minus-275 favorite while the Filipino athlete/ politician is a plus-235 underdog.
"That means a Mayweather bettor must wager $275 to win $100. A $100 wager on Pacquiao would net $235 profit," summarized the site.
According to ESPN, per MGM vice president of race of sports Jay Rood, betting for the fight is going to be massive. "This is the kind of fight that we'll take a lot of big bets, seven figures," Jay Rood, MGM vice president of race of sports, said.
How about you, who do you think will take the cake? Are you Team Mayweather or Team Pacquiao?
