According to a report in The Guardian today, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather stand to earn $75 million apiece if they finally agree to go head to head in the ring.
Boxing fans the world over have grown tired of waiting for the pair to quit the trash talking and get on with the fight and with Pacquiao overcoming Juan Manuel Marquez in extremely controversial circumstances at the weekend, there would seem to be few obstacles preventing what would be the bout of the century thus far.
The Guardian reports that both fighters could stand to earn up to $75 million (approximately €55 million) each from the fight, which is a hell of a pretty penny, even for a man who christened himself ‘Money’ Mayweather and even if the ego of the losing fighter could be irrevocably damaged in the event of a defeat.
Should the fight eventually go ahead, there would rarely be a more-anticipated sporting event worldwide, although it could be argued that it should have taken place long ago.
By all accounts, Pacquiao was a lucky boy to have overcome Marquez in Las Vegas on Saturday night, with many pundits suggesting that the Mexican should have come out on top in what was his third joust with the Filipino boxer-cum-politician.
Certainly, the man himself was of that view.
“I was robbed. They robbed me,” Marquez said after the fight.
“I don’t know what I need to do to convince the judges. I am very frustrated.”
Pac-Man had little sympathy for his opponent, saying: “We have to accept the disappointment of the Mexican fans but that is part of the game. It was close but it was clear to me that I won the fight.
His trainer Freddie Roach on the other hand, gave a clearer insight into just how close a shave it was on the night.
“I predicted Manny would win in six rounds and I got it completely wrong,” he said.
“In the end it could have gone the other way. The fight was there for Márquez. If Manny hadn’t won the last it could have been a draw or even worse for us.
“He had Manny’s number. We need to get to work on how to deal with the counter punchers a little better. I need to do my job a little better.”
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