By REY C. LACHICA
When legendary fighters Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather clashed on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas, it was billed the “The Fight of the Century.”
More than 8 years after that historic fight, the two great warriors appear to be on a collision course.
There are posters circulating on Tuesday, Oct. 17, announcing their fight dubbed as “The Exhibition Match ” is going to happen on Dec. 31 in Tokyo.
A Pacquiao confidante told Bulletin-Tempo that the former senator has already started training in his bailiwick in Gen. Santos City.
“Twice siya nag-training last week, but not sure if he is preparing for Maywearther,” he said.
But another Pacquiao friend revealed that it’s going to be Mayweather.
“Kukuha na nga ako ng visa just in case dadalhin ako ni Sen. Manny sa Tokyo,” he said.
If the event pushes through, the two successful fighters in boxing history will again earn lots of money, but not the kind of money they received when they fought the first time.
For winning the match unconvincingly, Mayweather earned a whopping $180 million.
Pacquiao, who thought he won the fight judging the way he slugged it out, settled for a humble $120,000 – huge enough for a fighter who turned pro at 16 to escape poverty.
During that fight, Hollywood personalities trooped to Las Vegas for a chance to see a slam bang affair.
Some went home happy and satisfied, but some – especially the ones rooting for Pacquiao – expressed utter disgust with the result.
They have valid reasons.
Pacquiao chased Mayweather into the corners, throwing heavy punches – none more lethal than the one he unleashed in the fourth round.
Pacquiao staggered Mayweather with a booming straight left, a shot that titillated the crowd.
This was also the fight that Mayweather would never forget.
