Good op. William Hill have Floyd -200, Manny +150, draw +2500. I can't see much value in either fighter there, maybe a tiny bit with Manny but the edge isn't huge.

I really think this will an epic event that everyone in the world watches, like an Ali-Foreman or Ali-Frazier, would appreciate your thoughts on that. E.g I'd expect most of my friends to be somehow watching the fight that evening, in the same way that I assume most of them will watch superbowl.

Purses in the range of $30 to $35 million imo. I hope they can come to some sort of deal whereby these guys come in to the ring weighing similar amounts, it's such a interesting clash of styles, personalities, cultures etc. it's two absolutely magnificent boxers, in their primes, going at it to determine who is best, it's such a pure occasion that I'd hate for the weight issue to tarnish.

Does anyone give credence to Yankee Stadium's attempt to land this fight? Having a huge crowd in a historic (kinda) stadium, with a much much bigger crowd than you can get in Vegas would be appropriate and amazing for a fight of this magnitude.

I've been following boxing since 1995, this would be the most i've ever been excited for a fight.

Gonna be rooting for Mayweather. Seems the early responses make me lonely in that camp, but PBF just has such an entertaining personality.

I can't wait for that 24/7. Fight should be ok too.

Edit: The Pacquiao- Cotto 24/7 was just boring.

lol, +1

24/7 is like crack.

This will be an interesting dynamic during the pre-fight buildup and during the actual fight itself.

I think it's safe to say that Pacquiao is now adored in the States and just about everywhere else, but international fights tend to bring out a strong patriotic sentiment from American crowds, regardless of the fighters - Jones Jr. vs. Calzaghe at MSG comes to mind, even though Calzaghe put on one hell of a show. Is it possible for an American crowd to cheer against Pacquiao?

so does Paq, for completely the opposite reason. That's why this fight will rule.

disagree. I enjoyed them.

I certainly think this fight carries the same type of worldwide appeal, both in magnitude and cultural significance, that the Ali-Foreman and Ali-Frazier fights had. Like I said in the OP, imo this is the last great American boxing superstar (for now) fighting arguably the biggest non-American superstar in the entire sports world today, if only because of the absolutely mammoth demographic that identifies with Pacquiao. That Pacific Rim market is just stupid huge and I would have to guess the East vs. West angle will be played up quite a bit during the pre-fight press buildup.


I do, and I also think it's a great idea. The old Yankee Stadium saw so many important fights during the early days of prizefighting; if hosting Pac-PBF at the new Yankee Stadium draws any allusions to the golden age of boxing, perhaps implicating a return to prestige, that can only be viewed as a positive byproduct imo. Not to mention 54,000 screaming fans would be insane.

Remember, one of the most culturally important fights in American, and indeed world history took place at Yankee Stadium: Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling in 1938 for the world heavyweight title, right in the middle of Hitlermania. You talk about an historically significant moment in American pop culture, surely that's gotta be near the top of the list as far as sports-related events are concerned, along with Jesse Owens dominating the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

I would make a point to see this somewhere. I think the last boxing match I made a point to see was the ear bite.

Edit: unless you count season 1 of The Contender.

When we were in HS/early 20s my friends and I would get together to watch all the big fights - Tyson, Holyfield, Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, Duran, George Foreman, even Tommy Morrison. I even remember watching Ali, Spinks, Holmes growing up as a kid with my Dad and Stepdad. There just hasn't been anything to draw me in for decades.

Greatest ESPN joke of all time: "... and George Foreman continues on his 'bang the bum slowly' tour..."

I'd pay $100 to watch this fight.

I have never bought a ppv boxing match but I will no doubt buy this one.


Have no clue who will win but I am hoping Pac-man wins.

The crowd will not be behind Floyd anywhere. They were not even behind him when he fought De La Hoya (American too, but more ethnic and probably thought of more as Mexican than American in the average spectators mind). He is unlikeable. Everyone wants to see him get his ass kicked. He also has a style that people dislike, because he is defensive. I think its natural that people will be cheering for the offensive fighter. Manny is very likable and has a style that is more enjoyable.

OP, thanks for your efforts and the other posts in this thread, very informative. I would be pretty pumped to see this fight, as one of the self proclaimed non boxing fan...

One of the things I like most about Mayweather is he'll embrace the "heel" role.

Best OP ever in SE.

So hyped for this to happen and it'll be huge. Boxing's golden chance to become extremely relevant in this country again.

Thanks to everyone for the compliments on the OP. Despite a couple small errors, I did spend a good chunk of time writing it up, but it was a labour of love.

I'm so ready for this fight. I've been ready for a fight like this for almost 3 years. This will be the fight Mayweather-De La Hoya should've been.

This. I haven't seen a boxing match in years, been at least a decade since I paid for one. But damn I want to see this!

Another interesting dynamic to look for during the pre-fight buildup: how far will Mayweather push the envelope? It wasn't that long ago that Floyd called Arturo Gatti a "fake" and a "C+ fighter" before they fought for Gatti's 140 lbs. title in '05.

Is it even possible to hate on Pacquiao? The dude is one of the classiest guys in all of pro sports...

On an aside, it was such a breath of fresh air for me to see the Pac-Cotto pre-fight buildup proceed without any shenanigans whatsoever between the fighters. Two good guys just doing their job, great professional respect for each other. I personally admire that. Others love the trash talk. We'll see how this plays out.

Mayweather doesn't have to hate on Pac. He can just feed off everybody rooting for Pac.

That's a good point...but as always with Mayweather, you have to wonder if and when he'll cross the line.

It's more a "when", isn't it? :-D

Following boxing intensely for a couple of years, and no match has even been this close in intensity. If Manny wins this, he will truly have broken into the top 20 of boxing, which is VERY VERY hard to do. Dont forget we are talking about a guy who came all the way from 106lbs.

As for floyd if he wins this, well im pretty sure with the amount of cash he will have made he will call it quits. He will be probably in the 30-50 range of top 50 p4p at best. Very good defense obviously, but did not prove himself.

Anyhow, whatever happens we are in for treat because pacquiao never gives a bad fight.

I think I'd pay $200-250 to get a ticket in the upper decks if it was held at Yankee Stadium, just to say I was there.

I admittedly have no clue what ticket prices would be if it was held at Yankee Stadium.

*edit: my buddies and I had a quick chat about this when we saw the Yankee Stadium link...I think I'd do it, not a bad drive from Toronto to NYC.

who is pacquio? is the guy even gona stand a chance vs money may?????

maywehater will prob open -500 +/- 23ish