Why Pacquiao versus Mayweather is a guaranteed blockbuster
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Mar 2015
LOS ANGELES -- With an immaculate 47-0 slate, Floyd Mayweather is unbeaten atop the ring. As a showman outside the ropes, he is arguably unmatched.
The man who boldly calls himself "Money" was good as cash during the grand press conference officially announcing his May 2 date against the one fighter the world wants him to meet -- our very own Manny Pacquiao.
On the red carpet leading to the Nokia Theater, the same strip of fancy cloth that Hollywood's A-listers walked on during the annual Academy Awards just a few Sundays ago, Floyd made a lavish entrance fit for a star.
Decked in designer grey suit, with black shoes that glinted with the polish of fine Italian leather, Mayweather arrived fashionably late. He was cordoned by a slew of about 10 very tall and really big bodyguards who were all clad in pitch-black shirts stamped with the now familiar TMT (The Money Team) logo.
Floyd's security dudes looked angry and seemed eager to pounce on whoever dared to get near, and God forbid, touch their master.
Pacquiao, who will earn at least $80 million for this super fight, graced the red carpet ahead of Mayweather. Himself a superior stylist, Manny wore an expensive black suit and elegant black shoes. A Rolex appeared to be dangling on his left wrist.
Unlike Pretty Floyd, Manny needed no security blanket and went about his media obligations with business-like flair. He spoke to every inquiring microphone, smiled to reporters and waved to his fans. Heck, he even sang for CNN.
The author with Pacquiao's man Friday Buboy Fernandez and ABS-CBN star Dyan Castillejo.
The biggest lure of Pacquiao-Mayweahter is the contrast in their fighting styles.
Manny is an aggressively violent puncher, one with a murderous right cross and an unforgiving left hook. Floyd, meanwhile, is Picasso with a boxing glove, a ring artist with an impregnable defense. Without a one-punch knockout power, Floyd chops foes down with the accumulation of punches thrown so accurately you'd think it was guided by laser.
If styles make fights, clashing personalities sell it. And this is why Pacquiao versus Mayweather will be a box-office blockbuster that will eviscerate all existing records as it pertains to pay-per-view buys, ticket revenues, etc.
Pacquiao is a compelling rags-to-riches story, beloved by his countrymen and adored by millions around to world for his humility. He is shy and reverential and treats his fellowmen with the dignity of a respected Philippine congressman.
The loquacious Mayweather , on the other hand, is brash and decadent. He looks down at his opposition, his mouth foaming with vitriol and boasts. He will bank at least $120 million on May 2 and you can count on Floyd to shamelessly flaunt that added wealth.
Pacquiao versus Mayweather is the proverbial battle between good and evil. And it's a promoter's dream.
Face-value tickets for this mayhem range from a low of $1500 to a high of $7500. But with greedy brokers in the equation, the hard-to-get tickets have skyrocketed in value. Pay-per-view for the fight is reported at $99 and $120 for HD.
But it doesn't matter. Money is not an object here and fans will pay.
Hopefully, the fight will live up to the hype.
MEETING OLD MEDIA FRIENDS. Because of my busy schedule covering the NBA, I haven't been to many boxing events lately. So it was refreshing to go to last Wednesday's presser and see familiar faces.
I met up with Nick Giongco of Manila Bulletin. We reminisced the days when we were the only Filipino sportswriters who covered Pacquiao in the undercard of the Lewis-Tyson fight in Memphis back in June 2002.
I also caught up with ABS-CBN reporter Dyan Castillejo, who lent her star power to the event, looking vivacious in an elegant dress that was as blood red as the carpet we walked on. .
It was a pleasure to meet the acquaintance of former PBA sideline reporter Janelle So, who now toils in L.A. with her our production company. She was pretty and smart as advertised.
Something is wrong with PhilBoxing ace photographer and columnist Dr. Ed Dela Vega. While all of us are getting older, Doc Ed is getting younger. Ah, the perks of healthy eating and living.
My good friend Nick Roska, who has covered the Lakers and Clippers for us here at PhilBoxing since 2008, also had credentials for the event. Haven't seen Nick in years and I didn't realize how much I missed his company and his wholesome as American pie personality.
Still dripping with caustic wit and dry humor, Nick was quick in getting interviews and even quicker on the camera trigger. Some people just never change.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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