Should the worst fears of Floyd Mayweather be realized on May 2 and he loses to arch-rival Manny Pacquiao, the ‘Money’ man can take no solace.
The American, whose C.V stands at a perfect 47-0, is in possession of the most amazing boxing record put together since Rocky Marciano defeated all comers during his eight-year heavyweight reign through the late 1940s to mid-1950s.
Mayweather is a 2-1 favorite with the bookies to overcome Pacquiao in just one week’s time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The pound for pound king stands to pocket a whopping nine-figure paycheck into the bargain.
If all goes to plan, Mayweather will move to 48-0. He put to bed the constant calls to fight the Filipino. Then, probably move on to a fall fight without a care in the world.
Take the flipside on that result in Nevada though and let’s say Mayweather takes the first loss to Pacquiao. The five-weight world title-holder then stands to pocket a hell of a lot more cash to ease the pain of losing his coveted ‘0’ after so long.
Granted that a close decision would be cause for a return all on its own. But would Mayweather really want to go back for more if he does come through via a split or wafer-thin decision?
It may only be the sting of a loss that would convince Mayweather that a second fight is needed in the short-term.
Swelling his bank balance with up to $150m from just agreeing to trade punches with Pacquiao is all good and well. It will break records in its own right, but imagine the size of the fee Mayweather could command to launch a comeback in a second fight later in the year.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER PAYDAY
A similar check would be the least Mayweather could expect, but my guess would be considerably heftier as the world loves an underdog and there would be even more clamor to purchase a pay-per-view to see if the former ‘Pretty Boy’ can reverse his fortune.
It’s clear that Pacquiao would be entitled to a bigger fee as he would hold all the belts, but if the fight lives up to expectations and has an astounding result to match, the return will blow any other fight Mayweather could muster out of the water.
Can I see Mayweather going back to regular purses of 30, 40, or $50 million after next weekend’s fight? – The short answer is no. Anything other than another whopping $150m plus extravaganza against Pacquiao will be a considerable comedown for the outspoken champion.
Should Floyd Mayweather do what Floyd Mayweather regularly does and come through with a dominant and wide points win against Pacquiao – as some fully expect him to – it may turn out to be the costliest victory of the 1996 Olympian’s title-laden career come May 2.
Phil Jay is Editor of WBN. An Auxiliary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
