Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will finally come to blows this weekend after nearly five years of anticipation.
Despite only signing on the dotted line in February, the two have been encouraged by boxing pundits and fans all over the world to don their gloves and get in the ring.
The prolonged build-up will probably explain the enormous excitement surrounding the fight, which has since been billed as the ‘richest in the history of the sport’.
Tickets are on sale for astronomical amounts, while millions of people will be watching the fight via pay-per-view.
But when does the fight take place? Is it an all-nighter or an early wake-up call? And who is on the undercard?
Here is everything you need to know about the fight…
And why not download our office sweepstake kit for you and your colleagues ahead of Saturday’s fight?
LIVE: Follow all of the Mayweather vs Pacquiao build up here in our blog.
When does the fight take place?
The fight takes place this Saturday, May 2, after three months of intense build-up from both camps.
When will the fight actually start?
The doors for the arena will open for spectators to make their way in at 2pm local time, with the first fight taking place an hour later.
The main event, Mayweather vs Pacquiao, is currently listed for an 8pm local time start, but as always with these events, it could indeed be pushed later if the majority of fights on the undercard go the distance.
With regards to British time, the main event is set for a 4am start. Plenty of coffee and energy drinks at the ready if you are staying right through!
In pictures – Pacquiao media workout:
Where does the fight take place?
One of the most famous boxing venues, the MGM Grand Hotel, has been selected to host this fight.
Mayweather is fighting out of Vegas and is widely expected to have the backing of the ground throughout the fight.
The MGM Grand is based on the Las Vegas strip and boasts 7,000 rooms and 9,000 employees. The hotel expect 50,000 people to pass through between Friday and Saturday.
How can you watch the fight?
In England, the fight is being shown exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office and you are best advised to order the fight for the weekend now to avoid added charges.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao, including the full undercard, will be available for £19.95.
If you are booking over the phone, the price will rise by £5 between midnight on Friday May 1 to 7:00am on Sunday May 3.
The event can also be ordered over the remote control or online.
Better still, join MirrorSport for FULL coverage throughout the night.
Tale of the tape – Mayweather
Age: 38
Nickname: Money
Height: 5ft 8in
Reach: 72ins
Stance: Orthodox
Career earnings: $420million
World title fights: 24
Floyd Mayweather
47-0
Record
26
Knockouts
363
Rounds boxed
Tale of the tape – Pacquiao
Age: 36
Nickname: Pacman
Height: 5ft 8in
Reach: 72ins
Stance: Southpaw
Career earnings: $420million
World title fights: 19
Manny Pacquiao
57-5-2
Record
38
Knockouts
407
Rounds boxed
When does the weigh-in take place?
The pair will come face-to-face for the weigh-in on Friday May 1, just over 24 hours before the fight is due to start.
They will join each other on stage in the MGM Grand Arena, just before it is swiftly converted for the boxing ring to be installed in the middle of the venue.
In British time, the weigh-in has been billed for 11pm.
Where can I watch the weigh-in?
You can watch it in the United Kingdom completely free of charge on Sky Sports News HQ.
The event is exclusively for Sky Sports and will not be found elsewhere.
In pictures – Mayweather vs Pacquiao analysis:
How much are tickets for the weigh-in?
If you thought that tickets to the actual fight were priced at astronomical amounts, then you will be surprised to hear the value of tickets to the weigh-in event.
As of Wednesday, tickets to see the pair face-to-face were being sold for as much as $554.29, with a minimum price of $200.
However, those are secondary market tickets. Initially, seats at the event were being sold for just $10 with all proceeds going to a charity of each boxer’s choice. Manny Pacquiao selected the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, while Floyd Mayweather selected the Susan B. Komen for the Cure foundation.
Who is going to win?
Opinions are pretty spit with this fight but the bookmakers believe that unbeaten Vegas boxer Mayweather will have the upper hand and has been made favourite for the fight.
With Paddy Power, you can back Mayweather for as short of a price of 8/15, while Pacquiao is 7/4.
As for a draw, in the week building up to the fight, the price has dropped from 18/1 down to 16/1.
The most likely knockout is believed to be in rounds eight or nine, with Pacquiao being touted at 25/1 to get the job done in them rounds. Mayweather is liked for a points victory.
Odds correct as of Thursday April 28.
Who is the referee?
Experienced referee Kenny Bayless has been appointed to officiate over the bout.
Nevada Commission-appointed Bayless is no stranger to either competitor, having stepped into the ring with either competitor a total of nine times previously.
Mayweather worked with Bayless in his rematch against Marcos Maidana, as well the bouts with Canelo Alvarez, Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya.
For Pacquiao, Bayless officiated in his rematch with Timothy Bradley, his bouts with Mosley and Miguel Cotto while also orchestrating the third and fourth scraps against Juan Manuel Marquez.
The selected judges for the fight were Burt Clements, Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman.
Who is on the undercard?
Main Event:
WBC and WBA Super Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather vs. WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao
Televised PPV undercard:
WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) vs. Jose Cayetano (17-3, 8 KOs)
WBO Featherweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko (3-1, 1 KO) vs. Gamalier Rodriguez (25-2-3, 17 KOs)
Untelevised Bouts:
Chris “Sweet” Pearson (11-0, 9 KOs) vs. Said El Harrak (12-2, 7 KOs)
Jesse Hart (16-0, 13 KOs) vs. Mike Jimenez (17-0, 11 KOs)
Andrew “The Beast” Tabiti (9-0, 9 KOs) vs. Anthony Caputo Smith (15-4, 10 KOs)
Watch next
Mayweather vs Pacquiao: From dotted line to $300m May 2 superfight
Jan 28 2015
Pacquiao and Mayweather swap phone numbers at a Miami Heat basketball game, prompting talk that a fight between the pair could finally be arranged. Barely three weeks later, it was.
Feb 20 – 71 days to go
Floyd Mayweather posts a signed terms sheet on his Instagram page, though there was talk, with little more than two weeks until the fight starts, that the actual contract had not yet been signed.
Feb 21 – 70 days to go
The war of words begin. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer claims his man is going to put Mayweather on his backside on May 2. Pacquiao himself says: “So this is it! The fight is on fans you deserve it thank you. To God be all the Glory.”
March 4 – 59 days to go
Both fighters begin their strenuous training regimes ahead of the bout. Pacquiao posted on Instagram: “Day two of work out at the gym. Thank you Lord for everything. God Bless everyone.” Mayweather includes chopping trees in his pre-fight routine.
Mar 11 – 52 days to go
The pair faced off for the final time before the week leading up to their showdown, where CEO of Mayweather productions Leonard Ellerbe said: “The meeting between the two in Miami was pivotal to this happening. I’d like to thank Floyd for making it happen.”
March 19 – 44 days to go
WBC unveil $1million emerald belt to be presented to winner of the super fight.
Mar 24 – 39 days to go
Sky Sports confirm they have won the pay-per-view rights for UK broadcast, pricing the fight at £19.95. US viewers, however, will be paying around $100 (£60).
April 6 – 26 days to go
Mayweather reveals he will be wearing a $25,000 mouthguard, filled with diamonds, golf and $100 bills. Cash, bang, wallop.
April 15 – 17 days to go
Mayweather confirms that his fight with Pacquiao will be his penultimate, with the May 2 bout the fifth in a six-fight contract with broadcasters Showtime.
April 21 – 11 days to go
Kenny Bayless is revealed to be the fight referee. Experienced, he’s been in the ring with Mayweather and Pacquiao on nine occassions. It’s also revealed he will be paid $25,000 for the job – the highest amount ever paid to an official.
April 24 – 8 days to go
Around 1,000 tickets – made available to the public – sold within minutes, with the BBC reporting that the cheapest were going for £1,000. However, they were soon on other websites for as much as £94,000.
April 26 – 6 days to go
Floyd Mayweather snr, dad and trainer, calls on his son to quit boxing after the May 2 bout. “This is a gambler’s game and I don’t think Floyd should be gambling too much,” he said.
April 27 – 5 days to go
Pacquiao and Mayweather arrive in Las Vegas with only days to go.
April 28 – 4 days to go
The pair hold different events, with only 24 hours before their final press conference. Pacquiao meets his fans in Mandalay Bay, while Mayweather is welcomed at a huge show at the MGM Grand’s Garden Arena.
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