By Alex P. Vidal
“Better late than never is poor consolation for the man who has lost the opportunity of a lifetime.” – HENRI MATISSE
Like Lazarus, the several times mothballed Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao versus Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. bout sprang back to life third week of February 2015 just when soothsayers were about to pull the plug for the dream fight with finality.
When no official announcement that came on February 19 as expected earlier, fans thought they couldn’t anymore witness the greatest duel in fight history.
But, lo and behold, Mayweather screamed on his Twitter account on February 20 an earthshaking announcement: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. 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!”
Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) only delayed the announcement by a day after when ESPN supposedly had violated their agreement not to leak any portion of the deal.
The unbeaten bronze medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics wanted exclusive rights for the official announcement. And he did it four days before his 38th birthday on February 24.
The breakthrough came less than a month after both Mayweather and Pacquiao, 36, showed up at a Miami Heat basketball game on Jan. 27 and exchanged numbers, causing even more speculation on the nearness of the bout demanded by fans since 2009.
Pacquiao – Photo by Top Rank
Pacquiao was ready to ink a deal with Amir Khan if Mayweather did not sign his signature in the dotted lines. Mayweather, on the other hand, was prepared to tour the world anew with his 30-staff entourage on board a private jet if the mega fight nosedived.
Pacquiao has until 2016 to complete his contractual obligations with the Top Rank where the CEO, Atty. Bob Arum, is like his foster father. He could not afford to walk in the park in 2015 without throwing a single punch for a pay.
Back in the Philippines, fans whooped like they won a trip to Jupiter and Mars – a dream come true and better late than never. Filipinos are proud that their very own fighter, a congressman and professional basketball playing coach, will be part of a gigantic event that is expected to share records in a sport governed by the Marquees of Queensberry Rules.
It will be the richest-ever showdown in the history of prizefighting with Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) guaranteed to bankroll at least $100 million and Mayweather getting the lion share of at least $150 million in a $300-million deal.
Rivals Showtime and HBO will bring the event “live” on a pay-per-view, the second time for them to gather forces since 2002 when Lennox Lewis (39-2-1, 30 KOs) pole axed Mike Tyson (49-3, 43 KOs) for the WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight diadems in Memphis, Tennessee.
No other boxing showdown can equal the Pacquiao versus Mayweather 12-round world welterweight fisticuff in terms of global impact; not even the historic rumble between Jack Dempsey (54-6-9, 44 KOs) and Georges Carpenter (88-15-6, 57 KOs) in New Jersey on July 2, 1921 that amassed the first $1 million in gate receipts; or the epic battle between Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs) and Marvelous Marvin Hagler (62-3, 52 KOs) on April 6,1987 that submitted the first-ever $100 million ticket revenue in fight industry.
Not even the Mayweather Jr. versus Saul Alvarez in 2013 ($150 million) and the Mayweather Jr. versus Oscar De La Hoya in 2007 ($136 million). For all its worth, suspense and excitement, the Pacquiao versus Mayweather Jr. “Fight of the Century” is better late than never.
