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New York - Boxing fans rejoiced and social media exploded when the news broke that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will fight in Las Vegas on May 2.
Las Vegas was abuzz over what promises to be the biggest fight since the days of Ali and Frazier.
Mayweather opened as an almost 1-3 favorite in the earliest betting odds.
"Can't wait to see", tweeted former champion Sugar Ray Leonard, who won “world” titles in five weight divisions.
Former English footballer Gary Lineker, wrote on Twitter:"Now that is a fight!"
Ring Magazine said: "Mayweather-Pacquiao is here, kiss the record book goodbye". And film actress and fight fan Rosie Perez tweeted: "Finally! God Bless America, two times!"
Mayweather, 37, will carry a 47-0 record into the bout. The 36-year-old Pacquiao’s stands at 57-5-2.
But whether the fight will live up to expectations and be regarded as one of the best in history remains to be seen.
THE GREATEST BOUTS
Felix Trinidad v Oscar De La Hoya – 1999
Riddick Bowe v Evander Holyfield – 1992
Sugar Ray Leonard v Marvin Hagler – 1987
Marvin Hagler v Tommy Hearns – 1985
Sugar Ray Leonard v Thomas Hearns – 1981
Roberto Duran v Sugar Ray Leonard – 1980
Muhammad Ali v George Foreman – 1974
Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier – 1971
Rocky Marciano v Jersey Joe Walcott – 1952
Sugar Ray Robinson v Jake LaMotta – 1951
Joe Louis v Max Schmeling – 1938
Jack Dempsey v Luis Firpo – 1923
Mayweather, after announcing the fight in social media, said: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived."
"Outside the Super Bowl, this could be the single biggest wagering event we've ever had," said Jay Kornegay, Westgate Las Vegas sports book director.
This year's Super Bowl drew betting money of almost $116 million in Nevada.
