It has been dubbed The Fight of The Century, and while the name is clearly characteristic of the sweet science’s inherent hyperbole, fight fans have indeed been waiting for a bout between these pound-for-pound titans – generally regarded as the best boxers in the world – for most of the new millennium. But, derailed by contractual stand-offs regarding revenue distribution and drug testing and marked by allegations of avoidance and cheating, the bout everyone wanted to see seemed as if it would never be.
Miraculously, however, the two fighters have come together in the twilights of their careers after successfully negotiating prior roadblocks. Perhaps the two are being motivated by unpaid tax obligations or their lavish spending habits (see below). Or maybe each knew in their heart that the bell would ring for this fight before they hung up the hand wraps and gloves.
Either way, we are witnessing history in the making and will finally see whether Mayweather’s impeccable defense or Pacquiao’s devastating straight left can win the day and cement the owner’s status as the best boxer of his era. To help you get in the mood, WalletHub has cobbled together the most interesting statistics related to The Fight of the Century’s economics as well as the personal finances of the two professional fighters. This Mayweather vs. Pacquiao By The Numbers Report also features commentary, including fight picks and thoughts on the sport’s future, from a panel of leading boxing and sports business experts.
Expert Predictions: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather
Bernardo Pilatti |
Boxing Analyst ESPN |
Bill Calogero |
Boxing Analyst Talkin Boxing |
Pick: Pacquiao | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Brian Campbell |
Boxing Editor ESPN |
Charlie Brenneman |
MMA Fighter UFC |
Pick: Pacquiao | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Damon Salvadore | Sports Reporter Latin Times |
Dan Rafael |
Boxing Writer and Television Commentator ESPN |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Eric Raskin |
Boxing Writer ESPN |
George Foreman |
Professional Boxer |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Guy Docetone |
Boxing Writer Heavy.com |
Jamie Foxx |
Actor, Singer, Comedian |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Jay McIntyre |
Boxing Analyst A Neutral Corner |
Jim Kahler |
Professor Ohio University |
Pick: Pacquiao | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Juan Manuel Marquez |
Professional Boxer | Karen Weaver |
Professor Drexel University |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Kell Brook |
Professional Boxer | Live Schrieber |
Actor, Writer, Director |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Mark Wahlberg |
Actor and Producer | Muhammad Ali |
Professional Boxer |
Pick: Pacquiao | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Niall Doran |
Founder and Editor Doran's Boxing Blog |
Nigel Collins |
Boxing Writer ESPN |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Oscar De La Hoya |
Professional Boxer | Rafe Bartholomew |
Writer Grantland.com |
Pick: Pacquiao | Pick: Pacquiao | ||
Ray Flores |
Anchor ESPN |
Ricky Hatton |
Professional Boxer |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Salvador Rodriguez |
Boxing Analyst ESPN |
Scott Polacek |
Writer Bleacher Report |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Sean Combs |
Record Producer, Actor, and Entrepreneur | Shane Mosley |
Professional Boxer |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Shaquille O'Neal |
Professional Basketball Player | Tom Drury |
Writer Boxing 24/7 |
Pick: Mayweather | Pick: Mayweather | ||
Wladimir Klitschko |
Professional Boxer | ||
Pick: Mayweather |
Scorecard:
Manny Pacquiao: 12
Floyd Mayweather: 19
Pick your winner
Who will win the Fight of The Century?
[institution_voting ids="13758570,13758571" title="boxing-votes1" deadline="2015-5-2 21:00:00"]
Ask the Experts
- What are the best ways to enjoy The Fight of the Century on a budget?
- Is Mayweather vs Pacquiao the last big fight in boxing?
- How do you think boxing will compete with the likes of UFC in the coming years?
- Do you think pro football is headed the way of boxing – once the country’s most popular sports until less brutal, more lucrative professional sports rose to prominence?
Ask the Experts
Associate Clinical Professor of Sport Management at Drexel University, Center for Hospitality and Sport Management
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Executive Director of the Center for Sports Administration at Ohio University, College of Business
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Edwin W. Streetman Professor of Retail Marketing at Baylor University, Hankamer School of Business
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Professor of Sport Management at University of Dayton
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Assistant Professor of Sport Marketing at Saint Joseph's University
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Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Marketing and Business Economics at University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
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