Mayweather Loses

The big day is almost here! In just a couple of days, Floyd Mayweather will square off with Manny Pacquiao for a highly anticipated matchup that has been in the making for over 6 years. Could this have been a greater event if this match was set a few years ago when Pacquiao was destroying people? The amount of money and interest being generated disproves that notion.

According to BusinessInsider.com, most of the revenue will come from these sources:

Pay-per-view — Branch estimates pay-per-view sales will generate $270 million in revenue alone based on purchases in 3 million homes. However, some believe sales could reach 4 million homes, which would push this portion of the revenue up to $360 million. Of that, 55-65% will go to the fighters or ~$150-233 million with the rest going to cable companies and satellite providers (30-40%) and HBO/Showtime (7.5%).

Ticket sales — Gate receipts at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas will generate ~$72 million thanks to tickets ranging in price from $1,500 to $7,500.

International broadcast sales — "At least" $35 million.

Closed-circuit broadcasts at bars — $13 million.

Sponsorships − $12 million.

Merchandise sales — $1 million

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/mayweather-pacquiao-fight-purse-split-2015-4#ixzz3Y3KM45Ws

It would appear that no matter the outcome, both fighters will win financially. I have been asked at least a couple of dozen times, "Who do you think is going to win the fight"? Without hesistation I reply to that question by saying, "Mayweather will win that fight". Mayweather's defense is to slick, and I believe Pacquiao doesn't have the same pop that he once had.

Thus far the title of this post is confusing, right? Mayweather gets the biggest payday in boxing history, he will probably win the fight in my opinion, so how does he lose? Mayweather is a boxing success like no other. He is also a great figher. In that respect and more, he is a winner. Where I think he loses is in his legacy. Based on his actions and statements, being known as the best in history is very important to him. In this respect, he loses.

Even if Mayweather wins with a knockout or if he wins a ferocious battle that goes all 12 rounds, not fighting Pacquiao in his prime, in my opinion, diminishes Mayweather's accomplishment in the eyes of the general boxing public. There is no question that Mayweather is an excellent fighter, but I cannot help to think that his very intelligent choice of opponents makes him much more successful as a business man than a legendary fighter.