LET’S GET IT ON – No. 1 or no. 48?

By Neil Bravo
It’s on.
The fight the world wants to see is finally happening on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Manny Pacquiao, the more gracious and modest between the two boxing superstars, gave the floor to Floyd Mayweather to make the official announcement.
Manny has been that way in dealing with Floyd just to make the fight happen. He took not just one step back. He took a number of steps back in agreeing to many of Floyd’s demands—random drug testing, secondary billing, and most importantly, a smaller cut in pay that’s 60-40 split in favor of the American. 
Manny took them all like a man. He even took the hit from Floyd that he was lying about the contract. Well, Manny has proven that now. He signed the contract first after posting on Instagram the signed contract above his name while that of Floyd is still blank.
But let’s not debate that anymore. The one thing important is that the fight is on.
Don’t even ask me who will win this megafight or in a more patriotic side, how Manny will defeat Mayweather. Don’t ask me for sure. I don’t know the answer. Don’t tell me too that you know the answer unless you are Freddie Roach or Manny yourself.
Let’s wait for the answer come the second of May.
When I finally saw the announcement on Saturday morning splashed all over social media and online sports websites, I was jumping in excitement.
It took five years to make this fight. The interest began when the two fighters exchanged seats as the world’s pound for pound king. Pacquiao went up in weight and the weight difference between the two diminished. The two cleared the path of obstructions along the way and now it’s just the two of them at the crossroads—mano a mano.
Do we mind that they are no longer in the prime of their careers?Manny is 36 and his knockout power no longer the same. Floyd is turning 38 and remains the best defensive fighter of this era.
Knockout?
Naah. Don’t ask for too much. The last time Manny knocked out his opponent was in 2009 over Miguel Cotto in the 12th. Mayweather has stopped only one fighter Victor Ortiz in the last eight years. That KO win was even questioned after Mayweather hit Ortiz during a break.
Mayweather wants Manny to be his no. 48. Meaning, his 48th career victim and go 48-0.
Manny wants to be the no. 1 on that Mayweather unblemished record (47-0). 
I can’t wait for this one. Vegas in my dreams. 
Postscripts: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” on 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8-10 a.m.