For sports fans, it doesn’t get any better than this. Across a range of codes and sports, we will this weekend be treated to plenty of sporting action.
The rugby league Test between Australia and New Zealand, the Super Rugby clash between the Brumbies and the Waratahs, culminating in the biggest money-spinning world title fight in history – Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.
Johnathan Thurston will be the difference when the Kiwis seek a third successive win over the Kangaroos to become world number one.
An injured Thurston missed the last two Kiwi victories in the Four Nations tournament, and the Kangaroos missed his generalship.
It will be a damn shame if Mother Nature continues to bucket Suncorp Stadium, because this clash is deserving of decent weather, and so are the fans.
What will the Kiwis have to face? Thurston and his combination with Cooper Cronk on the inside, and the express centres Michael Jennings and Will Chambers outside with Greg Inglis chiming in from fullback, and linking with wingers Josh Dugan and the exciting 19-year-old Alex Johnston on debut.
But having a superb backline won’t be of any use unless the forwards win enough ball – skipper Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Matt Scott and Greg Bird will see to that.
But the Kiwis are no shrinking violets with Jesse Bronwich, Issac Luke, and Ben Matulino as good a front row going around.
But the surprise packet could yet be Kiwi pivots Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran.
Johnson has been well below form this season, but Golden Boot winners are never out of form for long, and tonight may well be the night.
Foran has been injured, but he too grows an extra leg when he pulls on that black jersey.
Television coverage will be live on Channel Nine at 7.30pm, and replayed on Fox at 10pm. It will also be covered live by The Roar.
It’s a tragedy for rugby fans the Brumbies-Waratahs clash at Canberra is on at the same time and only on Fox, not free to air.
The game is vital to both sides, with the Brumbies leading the Australian Conference on 31 points from ten games over the Waratahs’ 27 points from nine.
There are three absorbing clashes.
The head-to-head between the world class sevens David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
Pocock has captained the Wallabies, Hooper’s the incumbent and both need to stay in form with George Smith now eligible for Rugby Championship and World Cup selection.
Inside centres Kurtley Beale and Christian Lealiifano will also be well aware of Matt Giteau’s eligibility for the same reasons.
Last, but by no means least, the clash of the coaches – Wallaby coach Michael Cheika (Waratahs), and the new Wallaby attack coach Stephen Larkham (Brumbies) – bragging rights are up for grabs, so too a place in the play-offs,
That alone will be worth the price of admission.
Live television coverage on Fox at 7.30pm, and live coverage also on The Roar.
Then the wait until Sunday afternoon when Floyd Mayweather Jnr steps into the MGM Grand Gardens Arena in Las Vegas to do welter battle with Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather (38) with an unbeaten 47-0 record including 26 knockouts, standing 173-centimetres tall with a 183-centimetre reach, has the stats over Pacquiao (36) with a 57-5-2 record including 38 knockouts, standing 169-centimetres tall with a 170-centimetre reach.
Both have fought the brilliant Oscar de la Hoya. Mayweather beat him in May 2007 in a split decision over 12 rounds, while Pacquiao gave de la Hoya such a pummelling,the fight was stopped in the eighth of 12 rounds in December 2008 with Pacquaao well ahead on all three judge’s cards.
Both fought the tough-as-teak Ricky Hatton – Mayweather won on a TKO in the 10th of 12 rounds in December 2007, Pacquiao knocked Hatton out in the second of 12 rounds in May 2009.
Pacquiao couldn’t beat Juan Manuel Marquez in two meetings with a draw over 12 rounds in May 2004, and lost a split decision to Marquez in March 2008, but Mayweather won a unanimous decision over Marquez in September 2009.
The MGM Grand Gardens Arena seats 16,800, all tickets were sold before you could blink.
A friend of mine in Las Vegas told me the $50,000 ringside seats are being scalped for $350,000.
It’s anticipated the nett from gate and pay TV will realise around $400 million of which Mayweather will bank 60 per cent ($240 million), and Pacquiao 40 per cent ($160 million).
The contract that took over five years to be signed also states Mayweather must be named first in the promos and placards, he will also have first choice of locker room and corner, and that he will be second into the ring, and announced second.
The only item Floyd Mayweather hasn’t organised for himself is the result to end a magnificent weekend of sport.
Kane
Roar Guru
Ok so you're using two fighters that Floyd fought in 2007 and Manny fought in 2008 and 2009 as a way of deciding that Manny will win by KO in 2015? Manny last won by TKO in 2009. Here's my prediction based on your logic Floyd to win by KO because last time he fought Marquez he just toyed with him. Last time Manny fought him he got knocked out cold.
PeteThePitbull
Guest
And big J I said trout will win why are you telling me how crap Mundine is lol he couldnt knock a pea off a pork chop you dont need to convince me of that.Im yet to see this killer instinct he keeps talking about I see he's come out saying his elbow is injured I hope he doest use this as a excuse when trout outpoints him
PeteThePitbull
Guest
It can be argued otherwise the first time he just had his hand broken and he went down in pain his knee hit the canvas second time his glove hardly hit the canvas he was off balance and as for Mosely rocking him he couldnt of been too rocked to come back after it and completely dominate the next 10 rounds but yes it was a good punch
David Lord
Expert
Mick and HarryHP, I gave a full column salute to Mick Malthouse on April 30. which he thoroughly deserved. Care to reverse your double dart throwing?
Davico
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Davico
Guest
Pete FMJ has actually been down in his career and was busted up by Oscar and got rocked twice by Mosley. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story though -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
big J
Guest
Also had a look at Mundine record yes he had tko against a number of figthers since Soliman but they were not that impressive. He has not really had a descent win since Bronco mckart in 2012 and he was a washed up fighter. Even Larry Holmes said the fight was lacking. But any way go mundine against Trout.
big J
Guest
It will happen just have faith, MAYWEATHER WILL LOSE THIS FIGHT!!!! No one is unbeatable
PeteThePitbull
Guest
Big J sorry pal but your facts are hopelessly wrong you say Mundines last knock out was 2007 against Solimon well he has had 5 KO's sence then but thats not the point I genuinely would love to see choc win this fight but I cant see it happening ,Trout is 10 years younger and in his hometown i feel he will win on points quite easyly but again I hope Im wrong.Secondly Pacman DID NOT win his last fight by KO in fact he hasnt recorded a KO victory sence 2009! So when you start talking about when he beat oscar and Hatton this is over 6 years from then remember that! When you say he will ko Mayweather your dreaming ,Mayweather has the best defence in the fight game his defence is second to no one ,he has fought the best of the best and never has he so much as been dropped out of 47 fights!!! the guy never has a bruise on him ,Pacmans last fight he won on points if you do your reserch and he dropped the guy 6 times and still couldnt put him away! so please explain how he will put mayweather away? money man is a defencive genius ,If pac was to cause a upset it will be on points but 47 men before pacman couldnt hurt Mayweather let along beat him and I cant see that changing. I understand pac is a work horse and throws heaps of leather but Floyd will make him miss most of them and counter them .And its a known fact pacman has always had trouble with counter punches ,it aint gunna happen mate
big J
Guest
I just saw that fight and billy went down like a sack of potatoes, unfortunately just like Geale, Fletcher, Green, Lapai (Alex the lionheart) and Mundine all have. The second any Australia fighter comes up against an champion from another country they get the arse knocked the f out. What is why our fighters they cant' seem to take a punch or just leave themselves wide open for a brutal knockout. Maybe it's time to drink different water or something cause the ozzy boys just can't crack it overseas. But with that said I have to disagree on two your points tonight Pete. One I believe that Pacman will win by ko on the weekend, and I hope that Mundine gets up over Trout on points,cause lets face it when the last time he knocked someone out? Sam soliman in 2007 maybe? But back to pacman, if you look at the fighters that they have both fought as David mentioned before here are the facts. when mayweather fought Oscar he won barely on points and took 10 rounds to stop ricky hatton, where pacman ko'd both men in a brutal fashion and much quicker then mayweather. Look at there last fight, pacman won by ko and six or seven rounds, while mayweather went to the cards. I don't care what you say, you only win a fight to ko not points. And mayweather even accused his opponent of biting him on the glove. want kind of pussy accuses someone of biting a glove with a mouth piece in, seriously Floyd grow a set. I really think that mayweather is burning out and that things have caught up with him just like it does to all boxers. So pacman by Ko
PeteThePitbull
Guest
Well I did tip the knockout but Fair dinkum I didnt expect it to come that early or that easy.If you have your hands down in the corner against a heavy hitting world champion then you deserve to get knocked out that was weak as water billy. And just curious channel 9 advertised the fight as live ,As the test game was postponed it came on early If the game wasnt postponed and finished later were channel 9 going to put the fight on straight after the game and say it was live? Surely they must of known the times and that the fight was going to be fought as the test game was playing hmmm
sheek
Roar Guru
Lordy, As I think Richie would say, "people drowning on the Titanic is a tragedy." Two sports programs on at the same time is not a tragedy!!!
HarryHP
Guest
Noticed that too. Author has a long proven ignorance to AFL so not really surprising.
Davico55
Guest
Actually David, Manny and Marquez fought 4 times, with Manny winning 2 of those fights by decision. So yes he was able to beat him. And before anyone arcs up about the fact they were close/controvertial decisions, that happens in boxing. It's happened the other way round to Manny (Bradley) and many others.
Mick
Guest
Hard to take you seriously when you neglect Mick Malthouse breaking a once in a lifetime record in front of 80k+ but give special mention to the who cares rugby league international and the brumbies game that might attract in excess of 50 people.
PeteThePitbull
Guest
Im tipping Floyd ,Trout and im sorry to say billy the kid will be knocked out tonight let the rounds begin!!