Pacquiao vs Mayweather: May 5 Will Be Most Anticipated Day in Sports History

Forget Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier, a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight would be the most anticipated sporting event in the history of the world.

Sure, Ali-Frazier had its trash talk, but not to the point of Pacquiao-Mayweather. There weren't webcams back in 1971, so while Ali may have just used one to diss Frazier, he didn't have the option to do so.  Mayweather did, but hate alone wouldn't qualify May 5 to be the most anticipated day in sports history; the incredible buildup in suspense would, though.

The two boxing legends have dodged each other for years. Many blame Mayweather; the rest blame Pacquiao—but in reality, fingers should be pointing both ways for the lengthy delay of a fight that may never happen. A possible matchup between the competitors has looked doubtful as of late, but a potential date has been set and is giving boxing fans new hope.

Mayweather’s advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, told ESPN that his client is scheduled to fight on May 5, 2011, but his opponent is unknown. Ellerbe did say that "We're looking to make the biggest fight possible, and everyone knows what that fight is, the little fella."

“Little fella,” aka Manny Pacquiao, is without a doubt who Mayweather wants. Pretty Boy Floyd is 34 years old. While each side remains stubborn about pre-fight blood testing, Mayweather will eventually crack.

He will forever have an asterisk next to his undefeated record if he fails to fight Pacquiao. I can see Pac-Man retiring without fighting Money Mayweather and being satisfied with his legacy; he’s an actor, singer, politician and Lieutenant Colonel. While Pacquiao’s name isn’t solely dependent on his career as a boxer, Mayweather’s, on the other hand, is.

While Ali and Frazier shared the boxing spotlight with other big names, Pacquiao and Mayweather have no such competition. The fight would ignite so much hype that it could single-handedly save the sport. Circle Cinco de Mayo on your 2012 calender—Mayweather will make this matchup happen.

For the latest news and updates on Pacquiao vs. Marquez, and for all the latest news and insight on all things boxing, be sure to check out Bleacher Report's Boxing Central. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter.