What did I tell you, fellas?

By Al S. Mendoza

 

(Here’s a deep, deep gratitude to Ms. Sarah G.Azucena of PLDT, whose huge help has put this column through to beat the deadline. Thank you very much and cheers, Sarah!)

*          *          *          *

TIME to breast-beat a bit again.

Unless Floyd Mayweather Jr. makes a 90-degree turn or a major reverse slam junk (pun intended), the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is set on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As agreed upon, Mayweather would make the last signature on the dotted line.

As agreed upon, Mayweather would make the announcement on whether or not the fight is on.

And, as agreed upon, Mayweather would stash away $120 million from the initial pot of $250 million as against Pacquiao’s “only” $80 million.

All three have been fulfilled—with a thundering impact only a Mayweather is capable of administering.

I put “only” in quotation marks because in reality, that $80-M take for the Filipino ring icon would amount to nearly P4 billion!

And that wouldn’t include millions of dollars more in his share of PPV buys and gate receipts.

In just one fight, Pacquiao becomes a billionaire many times over.

And, who knows a rematch might be in the offing, too?

It might earn more billions that Pacquiao could ever imagine.

If you ask me, a rematch could be in the radar for both fighters, considering the uncertain boxing landscape at this time when only Pacquiao and Mayweather are considered the only marquee fighters around.

As everyone knows, boxing always needs a superstar to bring in the crowds.

And we do not have just one but two boxing superstars in Pacquiao and Mayweather.

With crowds coming, it means a cash register constantly ringing—both bringing in moolah for the fighters and promoters as well, like Bob Arum.

Mayweather is not only cunning and clever atop the ring but also off it, that is why he is unbeaten in 47 fights—many of them earning fortunes that could carry him through easily in five lifetimes.

Yes, Pacquiao, with his MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions, is also always in the mix of things.

But compared with Mayweather and even Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions), Pacquiao isn’t considered big time yet in the field of making mega bouts.

Maybe later, when he has finally retired?

I’m sure his name will always ring a bell, long after he has hung up his gloves.

But to continue with the breast-beat bit.

Before Mayweather signed his name on the deal that took five years to seal, I was, maybe, one of only a few who kept faith that the fight would materialize.

When Mayweather announced it was a go just hours before his birthday on Feb. 25, and the news spread like bushfire in the internet, I got bombarded with text-messages and phone calls.

“Congrats on sticking to your guns,” one said.  “Cheers!”

My one and only answer:  It will happen simply because of money.

Isn’t money also the root of all good dreams?

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