Floyd Mayweather Legacy Would Be Wrecked by Defeat to Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather's meeting with Manny Pacquaio on Saturday is set to be one of the biggest fight's in history, and potentially boxing's richest-ever clash.

It finally brings together the two fighters who have defined the sport for a generation at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

But not so long ago, it looked as though it would never happen. After negotiations collapsed in 2010, it looked like the end of the line.

The pair continued with their respective careers, and when Pacquiao lost twice in succession in 2012, that was effectively that.

However, Pac-Man bounced back, beating Brandon Rios and then Timothy Bradley. But scepticism still prevailed, per LaceupBoxing:

Even earlier this year, when an announcement was imminent, former world champion Amir Khan said it would never happen, per BT Sport:

However, the meeting of the two pound-for-pound kings is now just days away, and there is a huge amount on the line, particularly for Mayweather.

The 38-year-old American is 47-0, and the self-proclaimed TBE (The Best Ever). He recently announced his belief that he tops even Muhammad Ali, per The Telegraph:

That is big talk, and Mayweather needs to back it up with a convincing victory against Pacquiao, the man many have long believed to be the superior fighter.

Mayweather has often been accused of shirking risky fights, hand-picking opponents he knows he will beat to keep his undefeated status intact, per Steve Davis of Boxing News 24.  

Against Pacquiao, things will surely be different, and thus the risk for Mayweather is huge. While, at 36, Pac-Man is not the fighter he once was, he is still a dangerous aggressor with great speed, and he will surely trouble Mayweather.

And if Pac-Man prevails—a definite possibility, per CompuBox's Bob Canobbio below—the legacy Mayweather has spent so long preserving and protecting will be dashed:

Boxing business veteran Rick Glaser said as much in a recent conversation with CBSSports.com's Lyle Fitzsimmons, and he is not wrong:

"He'll lose more by losing that he'll gain from winning. A loss to Manny diminishes anything Floyd has accomplished to be considered great."

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Mayweather's undefeated status is his sole claim to greatness, and if he loses that, he will go down in history as an excellent boxer, but not one of the best ever.

If he beats Manny having taken the risk, and retires undefeated, he will surely be part of the conversation when it comes to the best fighters of all time.

Mayweather has never blown boxing fans away. He has been efficient and he has won, a lot. But he has never been part of one of the great fights, or prevailed when he looked down and out.

Saturday could be his opportunity for such an event, and if he beats Pacquiao in spectacular fashion, he can book himself a spot in boxing history.

On the other hand, if he loses, his legacy will be gone, and the image he has spent many years cultivating will disappear.