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American Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather became the undisputed unified champion of the world with a unanimous points victory over Philippine Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Arena on Sunday.
After five years of rumors, speculation, talk and hype ‘The Fight of the Century’ finally became reality as undefeated Mayweather boasting a 47-0 record and Pacquiao boasting a 57-5-2 record went at it, pummelling each other from the opening bell.
The welterweight title showdown between the two legends was locked to shatter financial records for a prize fight. Here’s a look at current records the fight is set to break:
– Live Gate Receipts – $20 million for a fight in Nevada, set by Mayweather-Alvarez in 2013 (Pacquiao-Mayweather projection: $70 million)
– Pay-per-view purchases – 2.48 million for Mayweather’s 2007 fight with Oscar De La Hoya (Pacquiao-Mayweather projection: 3 million or more)
– Total pay-per-view revenue – $150 million for Mayweather vs Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2013(Pacquiao-Mayweather projection: $300 million in US, Puerto Rico and Canada alone)
– Fighter’s earnings – $70 million for Mayweather against Alvarez, as calculated by Forbes (Pacquiao-Mayweather projection: more than $100 million for both fighters – up to $200 million for Mayweather by his own estimate).
Talk was always that Pacquiao would try to break down the door by taking the fight to Mayweather and that the fight could turn into a real classic if Mayweather then responded to this.
The fight did not turn into a real classic, as Mayweather, true to his style, decided to hang on the back foot and box clever. For the first three rounds both fighters hung back waiting for the other to make the first move.
Round 4 saw the fight kicking into action with both fighters throwing numerous punches. It was always crucial for Pacquiao to try and get close to Mayweather and then try to wreak havoc as Mayweather holds a significant height and reach advantage.
Pacquiao did get close sometimes and he landed some good straight punches and a couple of good jabs but Mayweather was always able to counter this with some good combinations of his own.
The ability of Mayweather to turn defence into immediate offence proved to be the difference between the two fighters on the night as two judges scored the fight 116-112 in favour of Mayweather and the third scoring the bout 118-110 also in favour of The Money Man”.
Mayweather threw 435 punches to the 429 of Pacquiao and few observers would have predicted that scenario but the Pacquiao camp claims that their fighter suffered a shoulder injury three to four weeks before the fight.
He had taken anti-inflammory shots that were approved by the United States Anti-Doping Agency during camp. Pacquiao requested to take a shot shortly after arriving in his locker room at 6pm local time but he was denied by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
The feat by Mayweather saw him improve his record to 48-0 as he also became the boxer who holds the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO titles simultaneously. By February 2007, all four major organisations were recognised by each other.
Boxing gives birth to rivalries which in turn gives birth to champions and the champions then gives birth to legends.
This is exactly what transpired here with two legends of the ring going at each other with Mayweather coming out on top. The Money is now the true Unified Champion of the World.
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