21 February 2015 :Â Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on 2 May in what promises to be the richest bout in the history of boxing.
American Mayweather, 37, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, are considered to be the best two fighters of their generation.
Mayweather’s WBC and WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO belt will be on the line at the MGM Grand.
Mayweather is unbeaten in 47 professional fights; Pacquiao has 57 wins and five losses from 64 contests.
The fight is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m). The most lucrative fight in history is thought to be Mayweather’s bout against Saul Alvarez in 2013, which made an estimated £97m.
Mayweather-Pacquiao is also expected to break the record for pay-per-view buys in the United States. The current record of 2.4m was set whenMayweather fought fellow American Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather wrote on his webpage: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal.
“This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on May 2.”
Pacquiao said: “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years.
“They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an honour to be part of this historic event.
“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.”
Mayweather said “giving the fans what they want is always my main focus”.
He added: “I am the best ever and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win.
“Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48.”
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said: “Floyd should enjoy being the A-side while he can. Because on May 2, Manny is going to put him on his backside.”
Source : BBC Sport
