Pacquiao sets up Floyd Mayweather bout on May 2

Sandra Nwokocha

Floyd Mayweather set to fight Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on 2 May in what promises to be the richest bout in the history of boxing. 

American Mayweather, 37, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, are considere

d to be the best two fighters of their generation. Mayweather’s WBC and WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO belt will be on the line at the MGM Grand. 

Mayweather is unbeaten in 47 professional fights; Pacquiao has 57 wins and five losses from 64 contests. The fight is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m). The most lucrative fight in history is thought to be Mayweather’s bout against Saul Alvarez in 2013, which made an estimated £97m.  

Mayweather-Pacquiao is also expected to break the record for pay-per-view buys in the United States. 

The current record of 2.4m was set when Mayweather fought fellow American Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.

Mayweather wrote on his webpage: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived. 

Mayweather vs Pacquiao on 2 May, 2015 is a done deal. 

 “This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. Boxing fans and sports fans around the world will witness greatness on 2 May.” 

 Pacquiao in his own words “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. 

“They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an honour to be part of this historic event. 

“I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world.”