Kentucky Derby Horse Set to Sport Mayweather-Pacquiao Gear During Race

Hours before Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao battle it out in the ring in Las Vegas on Saturday night, a horse named Itsaknockout will be running in the 141st Kentucky Derby. Given the ties between the horse's name and boxing, it's only fitting that Itsaknockout will be "promoting" the fight during the Run for the Roses.

According to Boxing Junkie's Josh Peter, Itsaknockout will wear a Mayweather-Pacquiao blanket in the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Luis Saez and his crew will also reportedly be wearing boxing-themed outfits.

In case you were wondering how the horse got its name, there is a bit of a backstory. Starlight Racing (which owns Itsaknockout) founder and co-owner Jack Wolf explained the name to Josh Peter of USA Today Sports.

“My wife came up with it at the last minute,’’ Wolf said. “The horse is by Lemon King (editor's note: Wolf must have meant Lemon Drop Kid), which reminded her of a fighter, so Itsaknockout.’’

For those boxing fans who make their way to Churchill Downs this weekend, Itsaknockout will certainly be a horse to root for. 

According to the Kentucky Derby's official website, Itsaknockout enters the race ranked 11th in the field. Just imagine all of the buzz that would ensue if the horse managed to win the sport's biggest race on the same day of the biggest boxing match in recent memory. 

[Boxing Junkie]