That unfortunate situation could happen if Mayweather loses to Pacquiao in their first encounter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena barely three weeks from now.
Aside from losing the lead role, the possible rematch could also require him to enter the ring as a challenger while the ring announcer will call Pacquiao’s name as the champion or the one being challenged.
For the first time in his boxing career, Mayweather will likewise be asked to do things that is usually done by a challenger like the use of certain brand or weight of gloves, preference on fight venue and self-imposed drug testing procedure, among others.
Mayweather’s only face-saving option would be to level up with Pacquiao for a 50-50 sharing of the fight purse. Normally, a champion is paid more than the challenger but in the case of Mayweather—who is a recognized and proven crowd-drawer—the promoters may not object to the purse split.
It is highly probable that a rematch would draw the same if not better crowd than the first fight depending on the enjoyment level of the crowd. A highly enjoyable and entertaining fight will definitely trigger the holding of a lucrative rematch or even a trilogy.
While Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach is confident of victory for Pacquiao, Mayweather has been working diligently in his own Las Vegas gym and has managed to keep himself free from training distractions.
In contrast, Pacquiao has been swamped with celebrity guests while on training. Observers in and out of the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood believe the Filipino superstar is getting more training distraction than Mayweather.
Mayweather has rarely been accessible to media in an effort to minimize training distractions while Pacquiao has been open to media interviews aside from his regular participation in his bible sharing group’s activities.
Meanwhile, it appears that tickets for the upcoming fight which is barely three weeks away, have not been made available to ticket buyers. The MGM Grand advisory says: “Details on ticket sales coming soon.”
“Please be aware that tickets for the May 2, 2015, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight are not yet available for purchase,” the advisory says.
“Buyers should use extra caution when purchasing alleged tickets from unofficial sources, for fraudulent or counterfeit tickets will not be accepted,” it added.
“This is turning into one of the most bizarre sporting events in history,” Anbritt Stengele, founder of the Sports Traveler ticket agency, told CNN.
“I can’t name another event in my career that has been more hyped than this, and yet there are no official tickets for sale three weeks before the event.” he added.
Billed as the “Fight of the Century,” the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is predicted to be the highest grossing fight in boxing history with estimated revenue of more than $300 million.
The fight will be seen on live television via a joint broadcast by HBO and CBS/Showtime.
