Craziest facts behind the "Fight of the Century"
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao -- the two best boxers in the world -- faced off May 2, 2015, in what people deemed the "Fight of the Century." However, with Mayweather triumphing easily by unanimous decision, the bout itself underwhelmed most fans; rendering the much more entertaining spectacle, the lives these two men lead when they're not in the gloves.
As Mayweather has a criminal history of domestic abuse, promoters were quick to bill his battle with Pacquiao, one of good vs. evil. But a closer look at the boxers' backgrounds reveals that they both exist somewhere in between the two.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao and his team now face an investigation and possible perjury charges over their failure to properly disclose the boxer had a shoulder injury, before Saturday's match.
Michael Koncz, a member of Pacquiao's team, claimed responsibility for the omission; insisting he simply misread the pre-fight forms, and that his failure to check the proper box was an oversight, not an attempt to deliberately hide the boxer's injury.
Regardless of intention, though, Pacquiao now faces a class-action suit, filed by ticket holders -- seeking up to $5 million in damages -- because the fight they got, was far from the epic fight they were promised. Admittedly, shelling out a quarter million dollars to see a less-than-100-percent Pacquiao is a tough pill to swallow.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Negotiations for the huge fight began all the way back in 2009. They just took six years to finalize. And now, many believe this long anticipated clash of the titans is happening six years too late.
Both boxers are aging. Mayweather, now 38, no longer glides around the ring like he once did. And Pacquiao, at 36, is no spring chicken, either. In fact, many --including Mayweather -- believe he never quite recovered from being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.
So, Saturday's match-up in Las Vegas may be the "Fight of the Century," but -- if it had happened back in 2009 -- it might have been even better.
A man, named Money
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the highest-paid athlete in the world. He quite literally nicknamed himself "Money" because he has so much of it.
And he stands to take home $180 million dollars from Saturday's $300 million pot.
That's more than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant's salaries put together.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
In addition to Mayweather and Pacquiao setting records for the highest payouts in sports this weekend, the "Fight of the Century" is also shattering records for ticket prices.
The opening price for the cheapest seats was $1,500. The average ticket sold on StubHub went for $5,944.
And of course, if you're feeling a little Mayweather-ish yourself, you can also shell out a cool $250,000 to sit ringside.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
It's not even cheap to watch Saturday's fight in your home.
Pay-Per-View prices are also at an all-time high: $89.99 for SD, $99.99 for HD. The previous record was $74.95.
And unlike other sports, in which there's a sort of buffer zone between the athletes playing and the money you spend to watch them, a direct percentage of every dollar you spend to watch Saturday's fight goes into Mayweather and Pacquiao's pockets.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Why should you care that your Pay-Per-View dollars go directly into the fighters pockets?
Well, for starters, Mayweather is a bit of a polarizing figure.
He has evicted his own father, threatened his children, and repeatedly been convicted for abusing women.
Here, Mayweather Jr. is led away in handcuffs after pleading guilty to attacking his ex-girlfriend, while two of their children watched. He was sentenced to three months in jail for the crime in 2012, but has since seemed largely unrepentant.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao is a congressman in his home country of the Philippines -- a fact promoters have seized upon to paint a picture of him as a defender of the people, who can avenge women this weekend by taking down serial abuser Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Isn't that a nice little storyline? So neat. So timeless. Tie a bow around it. Now, let's take a closer look.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
The truth is slightly more complicated than that.
The Pac Man is, in fact, a politician, but you might not agree with his brand of politics.
He may not abuse women like Mayweather, but he uses his political office and influence to make it more difficult for them to access birth control.
Believing that condoms are "sinful," he fought against legislation, which would have mandated sex education, expanded family-planning offerings and subsidized contraception.
He also campaigns vocally against gay marriage.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather Jr. trains Justin Bieber and believes the Biebs could be a pro fighter, if he wanted.
In fact, in 2014, Mayweather told TMZ, "Justin Bieber is a true champion."
So, that's an interesting friendship.
Here, the singer poses with Mayweather after his victory over Miguel Cotto in their WBA super welterweight title fight, May 5, 2012.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Pacquiao reportedly owes the IRS over $18 million in income taxes for his earnings from 2006 to 2010.
And the U.S. tax authorities aren't alone. The Philippines are also in pursuit of the fighter for $50 million in unpaid taxes, going so far as to freeze his bank accounts over the dispute.
Hopefully after his $120 million payday this weekend, Pacquiao can pay them back.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Sources close to Mayweather say the "Fight of the Century" may be his second-to-last in the ring.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
At 5'7'', Manny Pacquiao even had a short basketball career in the Philippine Basketball Association, playing seven minutes for the Kia Sorento's at the tender age of 36.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Of course, if you're trying to get a spot on the roster, it doesn't hurt when you're also the coach.
And that's the case with Manny Pacquiao and the Kia Sorento's.
Another player was reportedly fired for voicing his opinion that Pacquiao's basketball career was both a stunt and a joke. The Pac Man did nothing to stop it.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Floyd "Money" Mayweather is currently undefeated in the ring, with a perfect 47-0 record.
But he's taken some flack over the years for wiggling his way out of fights with challengers who could have potentially threatened his title. Until Pacquiao, that is.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
You might know it, but the Pac Man also fancies himself a singer.
He's actually released two albums, in addition to gracing the world with his rendition of "Sometimes When We Touch" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."
Perhaps he can sing that track to Mayweather, if they ever meet again after Saturday's fight.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
And he's also an actor.
Pacquiao has starred in a handful of movies, including the superhero flick "Wapakman."
Maybe he'll channel some of those superhero moves on Saturday night. He might need to.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Leading up to his 2001 fight with Diego Corrales -- who had just been charged with assaulting his pregnant wife -- Mayweather publicly declared that he would triumph over Corrales for “every battered woman in the world.”
Annnd somewhere, Alanis Morissette is singing a song about irony.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
The winner of the "Fight of the Century" will be awarded a new belt that looks like the current one, except it's made with hundreds of emeralds.
The belt is valued at $1 million ... Because, you know, when athletes have a $300 million payday, it's usually best to give them an extra million, just for fun.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Tickets to the "Fight of the Century" are in such high demand that they're not even letting A-List celebrities in for free.
In fact, the only way celebrities can get their tickets comped is if they agree to wear sponsored threads to the event and serve as walking advertisements.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
If the fighters' colored backgrounds don't dissuade you from watching Saturday's fight, science might.
Many experts believe that the boxers are physically mismatched; with Mayweather's unnatural reach threatening to make it a very short night for Pacquiao.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
When you step back and really take a good look at the men involved, Saturday's "Fight of the Century" isn't so much a story of good vs. evil, as it is about varying shades of misdeeds.
They are both the best that their sport has to offer. They are both past their prime. And they both have pasts spotted with less than admirable actions.
Pick your poison, sports fans.
