Floyd Mayweather Vs Manny Pacquiao Fight Launch Is A Tale Of Two Very Different Boxers
Round One Is "Money" Mayweather's Marching Band Vs Manny's Humble Smoke Machine
Steven Hopkins— The Huffington Post UK
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It has been dubbed the fight of the century, and it has all the hallmarks of a storybook showdown of good versus evil.
The showoff - Floyd Mayweather - versus, the people's hero, Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather, or "money" as he's known, has done the almost impossible. A five-time world champion, undefeated in 47-fights, but better known for his diamond-encrusted arrogance which he flaunts across social media in a never-ending pictorial parade of garish hip hop style riches. Picture, piles of money, lines of luxury cars, cabinets of diamond watches.
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Floyd Mayweather's meet-the-media event in Las Vegas resembled more of a victory parade
Then there's Pacquiao, or Pac Man as he's known. Just like his video-game alias, Pacquiao never stops inching forward; adorable in appearance, and humility. From poverty, to politics in the Philippines, and philanthropy - the eight-division world champion's road to the ring at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas this Saturday, is a Rocky Balboa-style fairytale.
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Manny Pacquiao's event was as humble as he is and had all the low-key hoopla of a town fair
The fight is the richest in history - quite fitting of Mayweather, 38, the highest paid athlete in the world - with the fighters sharing £150m. Well, kind of. The purse is being split 60-40 in Mayweather's, favour.
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Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: Rapper Doug E. Fresh interviews WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao arrives at a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: The Southern University 'Human Jukebox' marching band performs ahead of the arrival of WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: Filipino dancers perform during a fan rally for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: Dancers perform before the arrival of WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: Francis Ramirez of Hawaii holds a sign as he cheers for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao during a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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April 28.2015. Las Vegas NV. Floyd Mayweather Jr.arrives for the fans Tuesday at the MGM grand hotel. Floyd Mayweather Jr will be fighting Manny Pacquiao the long awaited fight in May 2nd at the MGM grand hotel..Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNewsZumaPress (credit:Gene Blevins/Zuma Press)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: Trainer (L) takes a photo of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao during a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks during an arrival ceremony Tuesday, April 28, 2015, in Las Vegas. Mayweather will face Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas on May 2. (AP Photo/John Locher) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao takes a selfie with media and fans behind him during a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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April 28.2015. Las Vegas NV. Floyd Mayweather Jr.arrives for the fans Tuesday at the MGM grand hotel. Floyd Mayweather Jr will be fighting Manny Pacquiao the long awaited fight in May 2nd at the MGM grand hotel..Photo by Gene Blevins/LA DailyNewsZumaPress (credit:Gene Blevins/Zuma Press)
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Fans cheer before Boxer Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, arrives for a rally in Las Vegas, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are scheduled to fight May 2. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) gestures as he arrives at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 28: WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao arrives at a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
In total, the fight is expected to bring in £195m with Mayweather receiving £117 and Pacquiao £79m.
As excitement builds for the showdown (which will happen about 4am Sunday UK time) the two athletes met the press on Tuesday, in events fitting of their personalities. One had all the trimmings of a Super Bowl parade, the other a small-town fair.
Mayweather took to the stage at the MGM Grand Arena accompanied by a marching band and scantily-clad dancers. He wore a tracksuit and cap,branded with his TMT - The Money Team - logo, and gesticulated to the crowd.
Pacquiao, 36, had a smoke machine, and wore a big smile. He waved at fans, who raised home-made banners featuring cut-outs of Pac Man. A traditional dance was performed.
Mayweather is the favourite to win with odds as short as 4/9 on with some bookmakers. Pacquiao is generally priced at 2/1 to win. A draw is priced at around 18/1.