Manny Pacquaio vs. Floyd Mayweather: How This Fight Will Happen
The controversial, highly anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is almost two years in the making.
After several attempts by both camps to iron out kinks in the twice-suspended fight negotiations, the parties remain divided on two major issues that prevent them from signing.
First and foremost is the random drug testing issue which, according to Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum, has already been settled. The second contentious issue is the increased fight purse Mayweather is now demanding before he agrees to face the Filipino boxer.
If it is indeed true that the drug testing issue has already been settled, the next step would be to confront the easier-to-tackle purse sharing issue.
Still, Mayweather continues to attack Pacquiao with his long-running "Take the test, then we fight," line, which further muddles the issue at hand.
The more well-informed fans take Floyd's stance as nothing more than a marketing strategy to keep the fight foremost in the mind of the fans until the time comes to fight.
Here are five possible scenarios on how the Pacquiao vs.Mayweather fight will play out.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Fight to Take Place in 2012
1 of 5
Manny Pacquiao will most likely face Juan Manuel Marquez in November for his second scheduled fight this year.
If Marquez wins the fight, Pacquiao may not be able to face Mayweather early next year as the pound-for-pound king will take on a mandatory rematch with Marquez as provided in the proposed rematch contract which guarantees the Mexican boxer at least $10 million for his fourth encounter with Pacquiao.
In all probabilities, the Pacquiao-Mayweather super fight will take place in the later part of next year most probably at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas or in a large venue in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Still there is a strong probability the fight won't happen in 2012 as Pacquiao may wish to give either Sergio Martinez or Tim Bradley a crack before finally taking on the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
If this happens, the fight everyone in the world wants to see will definitely take place in 2013 and will mark Pacquiao's retirement from boxing.
Rematch: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2 of 5
Once the proposed Pacquiao-Mayweather fight takes off, boxing fans predict it will be a three-fight series depending on the outcome of the second fight.
It is almost certain the fight contract will provide for a rematch clause which will guarantee both fighters a mandatory rematch, regardless of who wins in the first encounter.
If the first fight happens early next year, the rematch will take place in November of 2012 and depending on the outcome of the fight, a third match will spill over in early 2013.
By then both fighters will have reached their retirement age targets.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Fight Purse and Other Terms and Conditions
3 of 5
There have been talks of Mayweather leaving Golden Boy Promotions to fight under Don King, who assured fans he and Bob Arum can make the fight happen in a matter of hours once the unbeaten boxer signs up with him.
Arum has said Pacquiao won't fight a Golden Boy fighter unless a public apology is made.
"Manny Pacquiao will never fight a Golden Boy fighter. Why will we not put Manny Pacquiao in with a Golden Boy fighter? Because they defamed him. They defamed a guy whose apiration is to be president of his country and a world leader," said Arum.
"They said that he cheated and that he took performance enhancing drugs with no basis at all. None at all" said Arum. "And they were the ones who started the whole thing. So, if you're Manny Pacquiao, do you want them to be involved with your promotion after they did a horrendous thing like that?"
Among other things, the fight purse will most likely be discussed in the wake of Mayweather's recent demands for a higher purse and bigger share on other revenues such as pay-per-view ticket proceeds.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: Preflight Hype
4 of 5
Whether the fight is going to be covered by CBS-Showtime or HBO, one thing is sure to happen and that will be the preflight hype.
There will definitely be a massive advertising and promotional activities which will require both fighters to appear on TV, radio and sporting events.
The massive campaign is aimed to drumming up demand for pay-per-view tickets months before the scheduled fight.
The usual press or media tour will be carried out on a massive and sustained effort which will be capped by conference calls and other appearances by the promoters and fighters.
The large purse and other expenses incidental to the fight will have to be generated via a sustained advertising and promotional campaign leading up to the fight.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: The Actual Fight
5 of 5
It is possible Floyd Mayweather, Jr will enter the ring as an underdog because of his extended ring absence even if he decides to go through with his planned tune-up fight this year.
If the fight takes place in 2012, Mayweather will have only fought three times since his retirement in 2007 unless he decides to take on another opponent by the end of this year.
In contrast Pacquiao will have fought at least six times since taking on Oscar de la Hoya in 2008 including his fight, scheduled for November 2011, with either Juan Manuel Marquez or Tim Bradley, or even Sergio Martinez if he gets down to 147.
Pacquiao is expected to engage Mayweather in the early rounds and will most likely go for a knockout while Mayweather is expected to maintain a safe distance to neutralize Pacquiao's speed.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
