A Closer Scrutiny of the Fight of the Century’s Validity (part 1)

Faulty punch numbers and one-side commentation could reflect poorly the fight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd in a bout billed as the “Fight of the Century.” Most people reacted negatively to the fight because of the lack of inactivity. Many fans and enthusiasts were expecting to see more of an offensive battle between the two welterweight giants. With the barrage of comments made by both boxing camps, many didn’t think the fight “lived up to the words.”

• Pay-per-view numbers might make the fight purse closer to USD 700 million.
• Pacquiao’s decision to delay the fight by 30 minutes may have hurt him.
• Mayweather introduced second tactically affected the atmosphere of the fight.

Known in US gambling news, the bout broke all purse records before the fight began. What was thought to be a USD 300 million outcome may possibly end up being closer to USD 700 million if the pay-per-view numbers are accurate. Despite that, Mayweather’s victory may have been assisted with the overflowing amount of complimentary remarks towards Mayweather combined with inaccurate punch counts.

The fight commentators and crowd reveal an atmosphere of confusion

The “Fight of the Century” took years to make into a reality. And unfortunately took an hour for it to become fantasy. In order for the fight to happen, Pacquiao had to agree to every condition Mayweather instilled into the contract. Despite their impoverished backgrounds, Mayweather has only been tied to money as his nickname “Money” indicates. There’s no reason why the contract couldn’t have been fair to both fighters.

This lack of fairness shows through conditions in the contract such as who first enters the ring, which locker room and weigh ins. These circumstances may seem slight, but it the audience, Vegas and the world is conditioned to Mayweather being “first” in everything surely it would affect the outcome of the bout. The odds from Las Vegas were in Mayweather’s favor and the media has said plenty to substantiate the truth of those odds.

That night on May 2nd, even before the bout, commentators could only talk about their reason for a Mayweather victory. Pacquiao’s decision to delay the fight by 30 minutes only created more opportunity for the commentators to show Mayweather clips reasserting their opinion of his dominance. The crowd was obviously in favor of Pacquiao. The extra time allowed for the high amount of money that was waged on Pacquaio, within the guidelines of US gambling laws, before the bout.

Even after the bout, Pacquiao’s belief that he won led to further demeaning comments by Max Kellermen who claimed that he nor anyone else saw the bout resulting that way. Pacquiao replied by saying “he didn’t do anything.” Although Pacquiao admitting to having a prior shoulder injury was met with criticism, it still doesn’t match the “boos” that are still given to Mayweather when he appears publically.

The presentation of the fighters where created a chasm

The opening presentation of the fighter showed a divergence from all normal order to that point. In every case, Mayweather being first created a tactical advantage to the atmosphere of the fight. This could also influence those using online sportsbooks in the US. The second fighter presented would offer an advantage. As with all the advantages, Mayweather controlled this one as well. First Pacquiao would be introduced.

“First, in the red corner, with his trainer Freddie Roach, wearing yellow and red, weighing 145 pounds. His fighting credentials of 57 victories and 38 knockouts along with 32 international and national titles in a record 8 divisions. He is known the world over as the people champion fighting out of Sarangani Province the two-time welterweight champion of the world Manny Pacquiao.”

“And on my left fighting out of the blue corner known the world over from representing some of the finest boxing skills the world has ever seen. Wearing white trunks with gold trim coming out of Las Vegas, Nevada weighing 146 pounds a veteran of 24 world title bouts he’s undefeated in his campaign in his 18-year campaign with 46 wins, 26 by knockout.

Ladies and gentlemen here’s the pound for pound great, pay-per-view king and boxing’s future hall of famer. The sensational 11-time world champion in 5 divisions.” There isn’t any need to quote the rest to clearly see the difference in introductions given by two different announcers. Perhaps Mayweather’s description as the “pay-per-view king” may show why the company felt the need to pay greater homage to their “meal ticket.”