While today the world has seemed to come to a halt. Five years ago, it stopped for an entirely different reason. On May 2, 2015 all eyes were on Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The scene was set in the desert as the two fighters finally met at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at the event that was simply known as MayPac. A lot has changed since then. On the fifth anniversary of MayPac, we look back at the hype, the fight, the players and where they are now!
The Hype
Mayweather and Pacquiao had been dancing around each other for years. Despite predictions that Mayweather–Pacquiao would be the highest-grossing fight in history as early as 2009, disagreements between the boxers’ camps on terms for the fight prevented the bout from coming to fruition. The failure to arrange the fight was named the “2010 Event of the Year” by Ring Magazine. Yep, when have you ever seen a fight not happen be the biggest event in boxing?
In 2014 things changed. The driver primarily being a large contract signed by Mayweather with Showtime Boxing. The expenditures by the network demanded a big marquee fight from Mayweather. By 2015, negotiations for the fight had been finalized, with all of the major issues that prevented the fight from happening in the past resolved. The purse, the drug testing and location all finally agreed upon. The day would be May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Fight
Despite the hype. Many were upset with the actual fight. Critics and fans alike were disappointed with Mayweather’s defense first strategy. However, folks weren’t thrilled with Pacquiao either. The two-handed threat PacMan made a career on seemed to disappear that evening. Mayweather would go on to win a unanimous decision, even letting his hands let loose during the last few rounds. Post-fight it was revealed that Pacquiao had sustained an undisclosed injury to his right shoulder while training and that while it had healed in time for the fight, he re-injured it during the fourth round. This created controversy in and of itself. As fans even filed a lawsuit. Claiming failure to disclose the injury amounted to fraud. Many however, simply chalked it up to the age-old adage – that’s boxing!
The Players
Since the events of MayPac, the primary players have seen their share of ups and downs. So where are they today? Let’s take a look.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Post MayPac Mayweather went on to defend his titles one more time against Andre Berto. Prior to the bout, Mayweather promoted it as his final fight. Win, lose or draw he would retire after facing Berto. Mayweather defeated Berto by unanimous decision. More noteworthy was it put Mayweather’s record at a perfect 49-0 matching Rocky Marciano’s record. Yet, the lure of the spotlight and another payday proved too tempting. After repeatedly being taunted by MMA star Conor McGregor, Mayweather returned to the ring in the first ever boxer vs. mixed martial arts bout. Mayweather knocked McGregor out in 10 rounds. Finishing his career, a perfect 50-0. An exhibition fight against kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa would follow. Since then Mayweather has stayed retired and kept busy with business ventures. However, his life has not been without tragedy. In 2020, Mayweather lost his uncle and longtime trainer Roger Mayweather. Yet, further to that tragedy, Mayweather also lost the mother of his children.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. & Roger Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather Sr. and his son have had quite the fractured relationship. However, put that to the side for MayPac. Uncle Roger, while not lead trainer for MayPac certainly had input into the corner. Since MayPac Mayweather Sr. has remained relatively quiet in terms of training efforts. Unfortunately, Roger Mayweather whose health which had been in decline for some time, assed away at the age of 59 on March 17, 2020.
Manny Pacquiao
Since the Mayweather bout, Pacquiao has many ups, downs and ups both in and out of the ring. In the ring Pacquiao continues to fight to this day. Defeating many of today’s rising stars such as Jesse Vargas, Lucas Matthysse and Keith Thurman. A loss to former Olympian Jeff Horn did occur, however, many viewed as questionable judging from ringside officials. Outside of the ring, he has also seen success. Running for and winning a Senate seat in his native Philippines, coming under fire from the LGBTQ community and losing endorsements for comments made about same-sex marriage. The comments put a ding on Pacquioa’s marketability. However, he’s since seen a rebound. Primarily due to his teaming up with Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma to help bring some much-needed relief to the Philippines during the coronavirus outbreak.
Freddie Roach
Since MayPac, Freddie Roach continues to do what he does best – train fighters out of his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Albeit with a few bumps in the road. Roach and Pacquiao, had a brief separation after Pacquiao’s loss to Jeff Horn, but reteamed for Pacquiao’s recent win over Adrian Broner. The all-star roster has also dimmed. Many of Roach’s fighters having either retired, or moved on. In his personal life, Roach also, suffered the loss of his mother to cancer. A long-time staple at Roach’s Wild Card gym, her presence loomed large and absence, even larger.
What’s next? Believe it or not, as recently as 2019, there were murmurs of a potential rematch. Your average fan on the street would claim that’s ludicrous. And they would be right. Yet, remember the age-old adage? That’s boxing!