Until recent time this fight was confined to our fascination of a matchup between two incredible fighters. It is a fight that should have taken place five years ago but even today after all that has transpired it continues to arouse polarising opinion and passion in its potential audience. Boxing’s detractors have temporary halted their sermons of its demise. They have secretly purchased tickets, veiled in their backing yet contributing to the record shattering revenue of boxing‘s most lucrative fight ever.
Perhaps it has been with good reason that we have been kept waiting so long for this bout. These fighters are in final season of their prolific careers and this is going to be their most memorable bout. Although the demands and performance will force the clock hands back; the night’s close will usher in a curtain for one of these fighters’ careers. Neither fighter has faced an opponent with similar capabilities and standing. We would be foolish to assume that these fighters have no respect for each other’s ability, achievements and contributions to our beloved sport.
A fight of this magnitude is bound to provoke strong opinion in many, some even venturing off the tails of illusion based on some illogical calculations not rooted on the facts but rather the emotions the antagonists arouse. All are to be forgiven for it is the nature and right of all to form their own opinions, even some in boxing’s fraternity have been left vulnerable to similar inclination.
Since 2009, the impediments to this bout have been countless, the inability of either camp to work around the unreasonable demands our egos can force upon us, negating any effort to agree to a mutually beneficial solution. Even the allure of $100M paydays was not suffice to calm the fires which grew from the uncompromising stances adopted. The inability to agree on random blood testing proved pivotal; it was followed by accusations and even defamatory lawsuits.
Mayweather demanded what no other had done before. However I do not see the reasons why Pacquiao found it difficult to agree to both fighters being subjected to random blood and urine tests. I can recall countless interviews of an incensed Mayweather dealing with the public’s outrage of a fight that could seemingly not be brought into being. Pacquiao was not engaged in the art of evasion; he has never ducked anyone in his career.
The two fighters carried on with their journey in boxing but at every instance their names remained forever coupled by the desires of the masses to see the fight manifest. Even as time elapsed our appetites were never allowed fulfilment as rumoured talk of secret discussions were constantly denied which led us further down sorrowed alleys.
The announcements on the 20th February 2015, brought to life our dreams and passions to see the very best matched in the hope of determining the greatest of their respective generation. Our faded optimism had been rewarded with an event that will forever be remembered in the history of our sport. No one in the world wants to miss this fight, a bout which has drawn spirted support from the masses, even beyond boxing’s faithful.
I applaud the fighters, their management and teams for overcoming countless hurdles, rising above the ego to form an integrated solution. With only a few days to go, May 2nd 2015 will birth the climax of an event greatly longed for, we will hold onto our betting slips and pride, cheering our champions as they stride towards the centre of the MGM Grand. This is the Fight of the Century, a final glory unveiled.
Twitter: @phenmolefe
