MANILA, Philippines – For the upcoming megabuck match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, it’s clear who the bigger star is.
No specific details have been revealed yet, but Mayweather will reportedly be enjoying a 60-40 split of the purse –getting $120 million compared to Pacquiao’s $80 million – while dictating many of the deal’s terms, to which the Filipino agreed to.
The undefeated American also got the luxury of announcing the May 2 bout – set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – while most fans halfway around the world are still asleep.
For this historic fight, Mayweather’s clearly the boss. And he should savor the moment while it lasts.
In an article by Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said Mayweather’s time will be up soon and that he should relish being the bigger star.
"Floyd should enjoy being the A-side while he can," Roach said. "Because on May 2, Manny is going to put him on his backside."
Pacquiao has started training even before the fight was announced, and Roach himself earlier bared he’s began studying Mayweather’s style.
The multi-titled trainer admits beating Mayweather is no easy task, but Pacquiao has the tools to do it.
"It's a huge challenge for Manny, no question, but I think it's a fight that he can win," Roach told Iole.
Mayweather is undefeated in 47 bouts. He vowed that Pacquiao will be his 48th victim.
"I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win," Mayweather said in his announcement. "Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful. He will be No. 48."
The world has more than two months to find out who’s the better man. – Dino Maragay