TheCable

Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2 in what the American pugilist described as “the biggest event in the history of the sport”.

Mayweather, 37, and Pacquiao, 36, are considered to be the best two fighters of their generation and the bout is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m).

Mayweather’s WBC and WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO belt will be on the line at the MGM Grand which is expected to break the record for pay-per-view buys in the United States. The current record of 2.4 million was set when Mayweather fought fellow American Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.

Mayweather, who is unbeaten in 47 professional fights, said the “world will witness greatness” in May.

“What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal,” he wrote on his webpage.

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

“I am the best ever and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win. Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48.”

With 57 wins and five losses from 64 contests, Pacquiao is also looking forward to the fight.

“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” he said.

“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.”

The long-awaited bout looked a reality when both fighters met for the first time at a basketball game in Miami in January, after exchanging telephone numbers.