Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather: 25 Reasons This Has To Happen Now

Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO) and Floyd Mayweather (42-0, 26 KO) are closer than they've ever been to putting the dream fight everyone wants to see into reality. It's been three years since the idea first captured the world's imagination.

One Filipino boxer dared to go against the odds to destroy Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KO) in eight rounds, effectively rearranging and retiring the aging face of boxing.

Pacquiao's inspirational David and Goliath slaying of De La Hoya would bring about the question: what would happen if Pacquiao faced Mayweather?

Mayweather was the previous pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world until he retired, relinquishing his position in the sport to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's decimation of De La Hoya became the evidence to support why he was the new No. 1 fighter in the world. Paired with Mayweather's stunning return performances, intrigue followed and grew.

Comparisons between how they fought similar opposition engaged the minds of experts and casual audiences alike. Their opposing styles and personalities form a perfect storm worth witnessing.

Questions will be answered in the coming months as a deal for the fight everyone wants to see is negotiated and hammered out. Until then, here are 25 reasons this fight needs to happen now.

25. The Wait

Mayweather and Pacquiao have taken their time.

Three years is a long time to wait for anything, especially an appetizing fight.

The fans, the writers, the promoters, HBO, advertisers, endorsers are all left waiting for both sides to just say yes.

24. The Agreement

Pacquiao has reportedly agreed to testing. Mayweather's side has reportedly acknowledged this as well.

If both sides agree on testing, one of the biggest factors that held this fight up, what's the issue?

23. The Date

Floyd Mayweather has reserved the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the date of May 5 and said he wants Pacquiao on that date.

Pacquiao and Mayweather fought countless major fights at the MGM Grand.

No disagreement should be had with that venue. Vegas is the ultimate fight night city, and the casino will pay big bucks to outmatch anyone else's offer.

May 5 is an important day because Cinco de Mayo weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year to do big boxing business. This upcoming year, May 5 lands on Saturday which is when big fights happen.

To illustrate how big a fight on May 5 can be: Five years ago, De La Hoya-Mayweather landed on May 5 and became the highest selling pay-per-view of all time by selling over 2.4 million pay-per-views.

If any fight can challenge that record on May 5, it's Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.

22. The Alternatives

Manny Pacquiao has no more options left in boxing other than Mayweather that make any sense. No one knows or cares about Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KO) to be engaged by him.

Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30 KO) was thoroughly beaten in his first fight against the Filipino. Getting revenge against Antonio Margarito (38-8, 27 KO), the man who gave Cotto his first loss, is one thing.

Beating Pacquiao, is a whole different ballpark.

Pacquiao could face Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KO) in a fourth rematch, but their first three ended in close controversial decisions. A fourth one will disgust fans enough to give up faith in the sport.

Mayweather's options are equally slim and undesirable. It's either each other next or fan resentment.

21. The Promoters

Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has said he and his company Top Rank want the fight.

Floyd Mayweather is his own representative, and he's already indicated a desire to fight.

Bob Arum's indicated that he's trying to get investors in hope of not needing Golden Boy promotions who have co-promoted with Mayweather in the past. The less hands in the money, the bigger each share.

But if they need Golden Boy, Todd duBoef of Top Rank has already indicated that they have no problem working with Golden Boy if necessary.

20. The Time

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao better happen soon.

December 21, 2012, is the end of the world according to the Mayan calendar. It's now or never folks!

19. The Upset

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may be at the pinnacle of the sport, but they can be upset by anyone.

Over 20 years ago, one of the greatest hyped fights of all time didn't happen when it was supposed to because of one of the greatest upsets of all time.

Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KO) was an undefeated 23-year-old-kid with a record of 37-0. He was the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world. His biggest rival was Evander Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KO).

Holyfield was 27 years old with a record of 24-0. Holyfield vs. Tyson was set to happen by the end of 1990, pending Tyson hurry up and do away with warm-up opponent Buster Douglas (38-6-1, 25 KO).

Douglas was a 42-1 underdog. That's as one-sided as the odds can get, yet he knocked out Tyson in 10 rounds. Douglas' mother died shortly before the fight and was the inspiration for such a shocking upset.

The next Mayweather or Pacquiao opponent may have some hidden talents or unknown things going on in their life that just make them better on any given night than the great superstars.

If the great Brooklyn-born "baddest man on the planet" could fall on any given night in his prime, then anyone can including Pacquiao and Mayweather.

18. The Elite

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao made some famous and powerful fans on their way to the top.

Eva Longoria, Mario Lopez, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Jay-Lo, Mark Wahlberg, Mark Cuban are all celebrities and moguls who have been spotted attending Mayweather or Pacquiao fights.

With celebrities and moguls, come contacts. With contacts, come deals or secret business meetings and discussions that could net thousands, millions or even build a foundation toward billions.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are near the end of their careers. Their fight will be the most star-studded event since the Oscars, maybe even more, which means it'll be the best place to network.

Getting people with major money together in the same room to share ideas is what creates opportunities for more money. Boxers can't box forever, but wealthy boxers with business sense can invest forever.

17. The Trainers

Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has received the "Trainer of the Year" award five times and was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather's uncle and current trainer, has received none of these accolades by contrast. Floyd Mayweather Sr., Mayweather's father and original trainer, has also been snubbed.

Mayweather Sr. has questioned Roach's ability to train Pacquiao. Roger Mayweather, likewise, doesn't think highly of Roach's coaching skills.

The only way for the two sides to settle who the better trainer is will be in the ring where Roach shall be in the corner of Pacquiao, and Roger shall be in the corner of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

16. The Casinos

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao has to happen period, but one place that could use the fight the most is Las Vegas.

Casino palaces as well as Las Vegas in general are experiencing financial trouble.

Vegas was once so powerful and still is, but a big fight always brings a stimulus package that the casinos can use.

If Pacquiao-Mayweather does come to Vegas, expect a Vegas casino bidding war.

15. The Movie

Manny Pacquiao has starred in his own film in the Philippines, and Mayweather has some acting experience on the WWE, but both have yet to have their life stories told on a major motion picture.

Mark Wahlberg turned the story of Mickey Ward (38-13, 27 KO) into a lucrative award-winning movie. If a lesser-known but inspiring boxer like Ward can make a hit film, why not Mayweather or Pacquiao?

The film could even center on the story of the fight, the negotiations, the promotion, the behind-the-scenes bitter rivalry and ultimately concludes with the fight's result and its aftermath on each fighter's life.

But in order for this film to become profitable, these two need to fight. An event like Pacquiao-Mayweather actually coming to life in real life can only be topped by a glamorous star-studded silver-screen remake.

First, they fight! Then make the movie.

14. The Kids

Floyd Mayweather has three children. Pacquiao has four children. The best legacy to leave them is that they can do anything they want to do no matter how impossible it seems.

Would it seem contradictory as fathers if they preach this lesson but don't accomplish the ultimate task of making the biggest fight of all time?

Every fighter wants a fight of infinite size and scope.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is that fight. Believe the hype, this fight is bigger than anything else in boxing in terms of the fanbase, the revenue and the cultural effect it has.

Some may say Ali vs. Frazier or Louis vs. Schmeling, but those fights were during periods when boxing was prominent in America. Boxing is not prominent today as it once was, yet this fight is craved.

The fact as seemingly boxing-less time displays so much investment in this fight shows just how important Mayweather-Pacquiao really is.

13. The Question

Manny Pacquiao has emerged in boxing over the past three years to be the ultimate offensive boxer. Not many can figure out how to ward off the punches in bunches that fling from Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather likewise is the ultimate defensive fighter in boxing. His defensive seems impenetrable. He's hardly had a bruise in any of his post-fight press conferences. Today, he has no scars.

Both have left opponents puzzled, hurt and embarrassed. Now comes the question? Which one wins, defense or offense?

Sure Pacquiao moves in and out to avoid retribution from his foes and Mayweather has an offensive game, but they are known for what they are known for so they become the catalysts for an age-old question.

Is the best defense an aggressive offense? Can a perfect defense destroy a great offense?

The only way to answer such interesting questions is to pit Pacquiao and Mayweather in the ring.

12. The Nicknames

Manny Pacquiao fans don't like Floyd Mayweather and vice versa. We get it.

Now stop calling Mayweather "Gayweather," "Kentucky Floyd Chicken" and "MayNever."

And stop calling Pacquiao "Pacroid" and typing in message board-unison, "Take the Test Manny."

Though Mayweather gets an unfair portion of the blame and criticism for the big fight not happening, Pacquiao has received some rather hateful messages addressed toward him too.

Hopefully, once this fight happens, fans on both sides can come together in mutual appreciation of the brutal violent art of pugilistic ballet that's boxing.

11. The Unification

Floyd Mayweather once passed on the WBA belt because he didn't want to pay their sanctioning fee. He felt at the time that his fights were past collecting trinkets.

Fighters must pay a percentage (sometimes three to five percent) of their purse from a fight in order to defend a title or challenge for a title. At this point, Mayweather and Pacquiao are beyond titles.

There are four major world championship organizations, and they all have near-equal power. What's a world title at this point? Mayweather currently has the WBC welterweight title. Pacquia as the WBO one.

But one belt that does matter still is one that doesn't even charge a sanctioning fee, and its "The Ring" belt. It's a belt only awarded to the No. 1 and No. 2 fighter in a division.

These belts are often vacant until they're won, which means most weight classes don't even have a Ring champion. Currently, the welterweight Ring belt is vacant.

The reason for its vacancy is quite obvious. No. 1 (Pacquiao) and No. 2 (Mayweather) are not fighting.

They switch positions often as they one-up each other's performances, but they still have yet to fight each other.

Once Mayweather and Pacquiao finally climb into the ring, then the Ring belt will go to the victor.

10. The Competition

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are two stars of a sport that's often compared unfavorably to MMA (mixed martial arts).

The sport of MMA is rising under the singular umbrella of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). They've found ways to make the fights people want to see happen. Boxing has a history of not doing so.

In 2011, boxing presented a slew of interesting fights that seem to suggest 2012 will be even better, but the buying public is not listening for many have given up faith in following the sport long ago.

Mayweather and Pacquiao are the only two boxers left that strike a chord so loud, even the doubters have to hear them.

When that chord is struck, its sound will ring out with one powerful message: boxing can and will make the best possible fights happen.

9. The Others

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are certainly taking a lot of the spotlight from everything else in boxing. But with the two megastars moving so slowly to collide, newer brighter stars are forming.

Many boxing fans millions upon millions are looking away toward someone else to satisfy their lust for brilliant skilled violence. Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO) vs. Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO) did just that in 2011.

Ortiz shocked the world by defeating Berto, but not before Berto dropped Ortiz twice. The unanimous praise and amazing ratings led the two to sign on to do it again February 11, 2012.

The young stars are coming and aren't waiting for the old ones to fall. Mayweather and Pacquiao must fight now so they can move aside and let the young lions maul each other for the spotlight for a change.

If Mayweather and Pacquiao do not step aside soon enough, then the young lions will take the attention away bit-by-bit from the two stars that were once so bright.

8. The Glamour

Manny Pacquiao has enjoyed his ride to the top as the likes of Paris Hilton, Mark Wahlberg and Jimmy Kimmel cheer him on. Jimmy Kimmel especially has become a big fan of his.

Pacquiao and Kimmel have made it a pre-fight ritual to meet on the Jimmy Kimmel Show live. They sing, they laugh and show the millions watching on television that they can have a good time.

Mayweather's also enjoyed performing for the camera. From doing the jive on Dancing with the Stars to punching the Big Show at WWE's No Way Out, Mayweather loves the extra attention.

Both fighters are relishing their role as celebrities, but most celebrities are only celebrated with television appearances when they're relevant.

If Mayweather and Pacquiao fight each other, then they'll make themselves eternally relevant through altering the pages of boxing history.

7. The Rivalry

Floyd Mayweather has always been antagonist on the microphone before facing his foes in the ring, but what he's done with Pacquiao is on a whole other level.

Pacquiao and his team have also displayed antagonism against Mayweather. On many occasions, Pacquiao's trainer has called Mayweather scared or cowardly.

Mayweather has likewise told the public that Pacquiao is potentially using illegal substances to get his latest results in the ring.

The only way to settle their differences is for Mayweather and Pacquiao to sign a contract they can both agree on and then bury the hatchet in the ring with their fists.

6. The Future

Manny Pacquiao is a politician in his home country of the Philippines. Mayweather is a promoter. De La Hoya became a promoter toward the end of his boxing career.

When boxers began to look toward other interests, their interest in the sport begins to wane. Eventually Mayweather's promoter duties and Pacquiao's political endeavors will grow too large to continue boxing.

Their boxing will suffer for it and subpar examples of the great men fans grew to love will step in the ring to deliver poor performances. Hopefully, these men shall face each other in the ring before that happens.

5. The Image

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao love their images.

Mayweather wants to be remembered as the best and so does Pacquiao. Anyone who works as hard they do deserves as much credit as possible.

There's only one problem. To get the credit they deserve, they need each other. If boxing can be called a school, then every fight before was a quiz or test over what they learned previously.

When Mayweather and Pacquiao step into the ring against each other, that shall serve as their final exam. Every training session is homework accomplished to master their craft in preparation.

No matter how much homework they do or high marks they make on their quizzes, the final exam must be taken to get full credit for all they've done in their careers.

It's that important.

4. The Abilities

Manny Pacquiao turned 33 years old in December of 2011. Mayweather's 35th birthday lands in February 2012. Those numbers make both men seem like borderline senior citizens in boxing.

Not everybody can be like Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO) and fight until they're 46. Most fighters diminish quickly in their mid thirties.

Fighters like De La Hoya and Mosley quickly became shadows of their former selves.

It's time for this megafight to be made, before time diminishes Pacquiao and Mayweather.

3. The Money

Floyd Mayweather made $40 million against Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO) and Manny Pacquiao made at least $20 million against Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KO).

Quick question: How much can they make in a fight the people actually want to see?

When one considers the purse, the percentage of pay-per-view revenue and the merchandising and endorsement deal opportunities, the financial numbers this fight can achieve are nearly limitless.

2. The Legacy

Pacquiao and Mayweather each have separate careers filled with great thrilling moments, but they need each other to put the finishing touch on the masterpiece.

Marvin Hagler, Tommy Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard knew they needed each other to be etched into the history books so they fought each other.

Going tooth and nail in some of the best fights of all time, Hearns, Leonard and Hagler along with Roberto Duran and Wilfred Benitez became not only the best of their era, but a modern pinnacle of boxing.

They represent the perfect goal every new generation of boxing's best should aspire for, to go through a gauntlet of matches between each other to forge a legacy with steel instead of hot air.

Getting in the ring with your greatest rival speaks better than any words could. Once they've faced each other, the intertwined legacy of Mayweather and Pacquiao will be deafening.

1. The Fans

The fans may complain and bicker and be fickle sometimes, but they've bought t-shirts, tickets, pay-per-views and merchandise. They continue to support their favorite fighters and have been forced to wait three years.

How much longer do fans have to wait while they settle for the newest next best thing? This person is strong. This person is fast. This person is young. Those people are fine fighters, but they aren't named Pacquiao or Mayweather so nobody cares.

The fans demand the blood of their idols, and hopefully, they shall get it soon.

After sacrificing countless millions of dollars just to feast on endless appetizers, the fans deserve the main course they've been salivating for all this time: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.