FAIRFAX, Va.

In the end, it took a face to face meeting between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to seal the biggest deal in professional boxing, reportedly worth over $450 million for one historic night on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Done deal”, Mayweather announced on the social media app called Shots where he is reportedly an investor.

Mayweather, who is 47-0 in his career with 26 knockouts, is now 37 years old. Pacquiao, 36, is 57-5-2, but lost 2 fights in 2012 and has embarked as a second career as a congressman in the Philippines.

Pacquiao’s Pinoy fans across the United States and in the Philippines have reportedly started laying plans for the trek to Las Vegas. A computer glitch initially showed the 17,000-seat auditorium sold out within an hour of Mayweather’s announcement; it turned out to be untrue although, as per reports, a ring side ticket could cost $5,000 and the price for a room at the MGM on May 1-2 has skyrocketed to about $1,600.

The fight is expected to be a duel between the defense-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao.  “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it,” said Pacquiao.

Betting odds in Las Vegas favor the 37-year-old American, who has never lost in 47 fights. Pacquiao likes to be in the underdog position, said sports writer Winchell Campos, who is working on a biography of the fighter.

“This is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of that. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it,” said HBO Sports president Ken Hershma.

Pacquiao has already started training in the US, away from the distractions in the Philippines, business manager Eric Pineda revealed.

There has been a flood of speculation on the best strategy as well how the protagonists  would fare in their match up. 

Viewpoints    

shutterstock_258410873“Pacquiao has to be very patient with Mayweather. If he gets too aggressive, there could be problems”, said Philippine Olympic Committee spokesman Joey Romasanta.

Veteran sportscaster Ronnie Nathaniels said the fight would have been much more explosive had it happened four years ago, when both men were younger, but said the passage of time favored the Philippine boxer.

“It is all going to depend on what kind of condition Mayweather comes in. He is older than Manny. He may age overnight in the ring,” he said.

Neither is at the peak of his once vast skills and that is unfortunate. But in an odd way that may make for a more compelling showdown. Because neither can do what they once did quite as well, each becomes more vulnerable,” said analyst Ron Borges.

The Filipino superstar’s success in May will depend on whether he can still channel that youthfulness of six years ago,” wrote sports columnist Lyle Fitzsimmons.

“One thing seems certain: If he lacks the strength to land a single paradigm-shifting shot (a la Ricky Hatton in May 2009) or the juice to step on the gas for multiple rounds and sap his foil’s willingness to compete (a la Oscar De La Joya five months earlier), it’ll be sad night in Manila,” he predicted.

On the other hand, Fitzsimmons averred, “Mayweather isn’t the best fighter in the sport today for the very same reasons he ascended to that position years ago. Even well into his late 30s and armed with a financial arsenal most countries would covet, he still prepares for each match like a hungry 20-something seeking a first big break.”

“And though Canelo Alvarez was younger, bigger and stronger in 2013 than Paquiao will be in May, his toolbox was also nowhere near as extensive as what Pac-Man, even at 35, showed as recently as November,” he added.

Legacy Fight  

shutterstock_106614497Mayweather says the Pacquiao fight won’t define his legacy. ”To me, it’s just another day. It’s just another fight,” he told fighthype.com’s Ben Thompson.

Pacquiao has disclosed that the contract doesn’t have a rematch clause. “That wasn’t even discussed,” said promoter Bob Arum.

“When you just look at the tale of the tape, I have a longer reach, I’m taller, I’m stronger, and I’m more accurate,” Mayweather boasted.

Entering their May 2 clash, he will enjoy a five-inch reach advantage over Pacquiao  (72 inches to 67 inches). He is also taller at 5-foot-8 compared to Pacquiao, who stands 5-foot-61/2.

In his home in General Santos City, Pacquiao downplayed what could turn out to be the fight of his life.

(Courtesy of Manila Mail 1-15, 2015)