Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao - boxing on TV this weekend

It's finally here...

Mayweather and Pacquiao are gearing up for the ‘biggest fight in history’ (GETTY IMAGES)

Mayweather vs Pacquiao, Saturday at midnight, Sky Box Office

Well, it’s finally here. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao finally compete in what is being billed as the biggest fight of all time. You’ve heard all the hype, you’ve listened to your mates who barely watch boxing offer their opinions on who is going to win, and you are ready to see the action

So what do you need to know? The only way to watch in the United Kingdom is via Sky Box Office, where you will be charged £19.95 if you order ahead of time, or £24.95 if you book via the phone on May 2nd. If those prices seem steep, just consider that American PPV consumers will have to shell out the equivalent of £65 to watch the fight in HD.

TalkTalk customers will also be able to purchase the fight for £14.95 via Sky Sports Box Office on TalkTalk TV.

That said, the American viewers will not have to listen to Nick Halling on commentary which makes the increased price seem much more reasonable.

As for the actual action itself? It’s almost impossible to say. The generic casual choice is Mayweather on points, a fact attributed to seven of his last eight fights going the distance, each time to Mayweather’s advantage. Indeed, the last time the American won a fight via stoppage was in 2011 against Victor Ortiz, a finish that only occurred when Ortiz was punched under very controversial circumstances.

Before that, you have to go back to the Ricky Hatton fight in December 2007 for Floyd’s last legitimate knockout win, and then to November 2005 against Sharmba Mitchell for another finish. Three stoppages in just under a decade against ten decision wins in that time period makes Mayweather on points a safe option for many.

The romantic angle is Pacquiao via stoppage, and if this fight had taken place five years ago, that would have been a more plausible outcome. Despite 38 knockouts across a 64 fight career, the Filipino fighter has not stopped an opponent since Miguel Cotto in November 2009, and was knocked out himself in December 2012 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao did drop Chris Algieri six times in their November 2014 meeting, but was that an indication of his power returning, or a starker case of his inability to finish a fight these days? There are question marks over Pacquiao’s punch resistance too since that Marquez fight, but what of Mayweather? Age has not withered the multi-time champion yet, but at 38, how much does he have left?

In his recent bouts against Marcos Maidana the once legendary reflexes he possessed seemed just a touch slower, and against Pacquiao, who frequently averages over 100 punches a round, will he be able to evade everything his opponent has to offer?

VOTE: WHO WILL WIN?

Please allow a moment for the vote to load

The betting odds are a jumble, with Mayweather a favourite at 4/7, and Pacquiao available at 2/1. Cynical eyes may favour the draw, which is a low 16/1 in this contest, whereas it is typically available at around 30/1 for the majority of bouts.

5/6 on Mayweather by decision may be the most generous odds given against the American for many years, while 11/1 for Pacquiao to stop the undefeated star may appeal to the more daring punters. With the tension in the Vegas air sure to be at an all time high prior to the beginning of the fight, how about 17/1 for either competitor to be knocked down in the first round?

Although many have bemoaned this match happening now rather than when both were at their peak, in a way that makes the whole event more interesting. Both are nearer to 40 than 30 which means either of them could grow old overnight. Many contests are billed as ‘the irresistible force meets the immovable object’, but in this case it’s more the irrepressible against the incandescent, as two disparate forces finally combine.

VIDEO: THE FIVE BEST BETS

There is nothing that sizzles the emotions in a sporting context quite like the anticipation before a big fight, and this is the grandest of them all for this generation.

Don’t expect an early night though, as the earliest both men will be in the ring will be at 4am BST, while 5am seems a more likely proposition. Whether you stay up with beer and pizza, or set your alarm for coffee and croissants, this is a must watch affair for anybody with the faintest interest in sport, or in the psychology of human nature.

It’s a shame then for those brave enough to pull an all-nighter that the undercard is sorely lacking in star quality or meaning. Chief support sees Vasyl Lomachenko, the two-time Olympic gold medalist who won a professional world title in just his third fight defend his WBO featherweight title against Gamalier Rodriguez.

VIDEO: MAYWEATHER VS PACQUIAO - IN NUMBERS

Elsewhere, undefeated super bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz meets Jose Cayetano in a complete mismatch, while exciting super middleweight Jesse Hart battles Mike Jimenez.