It's live on SS: Manny v Floyd!

The Fight of the Century, between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The entire tournament in Las Vegas on May 2 will be televised to DStv Premium bouquet subscribers in high definition.

Unlike other international broadcasters, who are charging viewers a premium to watch the fight, the event is included in SuperSport’s Premium offering among its other blue riband content, with no surcharge.

In the United Kingdom, Sky will charge customers up to £24.95 (R450), a record amount, to watch only the main bout. In the United States, to watch the fight alone is expected to cost viewers between $90 and $100 (R1 100 to R1 220) on pay-per-view.

The main bout is a match-up between two of the best boxers in history. Mayweather, the undefeated WBC and WBA champion, has won 11 world titles. Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight champion, has won ten in eight weight divisions.

“We are blessed if we have a true super-fight once every 20 years . . . this one measures up in every way,” Motheo Matsau, head of marketing at SuperSport, said on Thursday.

“As the home of boxing on the continent, we are thrilled to deliver such great content. Given the numbers swirling around and the lively talk in public, this event is shaping to be one of the major sporting occasions of the year.” Brandon Foot, acting chief executive of SuperSport, explained that negotiations had been protracted, primarily because of the unique manner of acquiring the broadcast rights. Potential broadcasters had to submit a bid in response to a formal request for proposal to Mayweather Promotions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank.

SuperSport’s proposal was successful and the rights include more than 44 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, on all platforms.

The rights include live streaming, which is available to Premium subscribers on the SuperSport app.

INTERVIEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

With the fight exactly one month away, SuperSport will transmit plenty of supplementary programming in the weeks to come, including one-on-one interviews with Mayweather and Pacquiao, as well as highlights of previous fights involving the pair. This content will be broadcast on SuperSport 6.

Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba, a South African who fought Pacquiao in 2001, was a guest at the live announcement of the broadcast details on Thursday.

“Pacman beat me, so I’m not surprised to see him become one of the greats. I reckon it is going to be a great fight between two very different styles,” Ledwaba said.

“Pacman’s speed, angles and southpaw stance make him very dangerous, but Mayweather is the smartest guy around.”

Since 2001, SuperSport has broadcast 21 of Mayweather’s fights and 19 of Pacquiao’s.

The super-fight will be broadcast on SuperSport 2 (SA) and SS2 and SS6 HD (rest of Africa) to enable all DStv Premium viewers to watch the action in high definition.

The buildup to the event will begin at 9pm (CAT) and include extensive behind-the-scenes coverage and highlights.

The action, culminating in The Fight of the Century, will be broadcast in South Africa from the early hours of Sunday, May 3.

‘CHEAP’ TICKETS COST $1 500

Boxing fanatics who manage to get their hands on tickets for the tournament will pay at least $1 500 (nearly R18 000 at present rates) to be among the 15 000 spectators at the MGM Grand.

Ringside tickets have been valued at $7 500 (almost R90 000) but will be just about unobtainable. Even celebrities who normally get free tickets have to pay the full price this time.

The promoters expect the tournament to earn more than $74 million (over R885 million) from ticket sales alone. Total revenues, including pay-per-view sales and sponsorships, could surpass $400 million.

The promoters first aimed at tickets sales of $40 million, but then increased the price of the cheapest tickets from $1 000 to $1 500 and from $5 000 to $7 500 – and even $10 000 – for the best seats.

Income from pay-per-view deals in the UK and parts of Europe could add $35 million to the earnings. Another $10 million will come from sponsorships.

The income will reach more than $100 million before anyone in North America buys pay-per-view, which will cost about $100 (R1 200) per household.

Mayweather could earn $180 million for fighting Pacquiao and the Filipino is expected to take at least $100 million. Previous estimates were that they would make $120 million and $80 million respectively.