Two from SA fought Super-2

Two South Africans can say they have fought one of the boxers who will meet in the fight of all fights in Las Vegas on May 2.

Phillip Ndou once challenged Floyd Mayweather for one of his titles and Lehlohonolo Ledwaba defended his IBF title against Manny Pacquiao.

Little did they know those days that they were facing legends-in-the-making; the men who would break all dollar-related records in a hyped-to-the-heavens clash near the end of their careers.

Ndou was stopped in the seventh round when he challenged Mayweather for the WBC lightweight title in Grand Rapids on November 1 2003.And Ledwaba lost his IBF super-bantamweight title when Pacquiao stopped him in the sixth round in Las Vegas on June 23 2001.

Now retired, Ndou and Ledwaba will always be able to say they fought one of the men who were regarded as the best boxers in the world, pound for pound, of their generation.

Whether Mayweather and Pacquiao are still the world’s best is debatable. Most critics feel the two were at their best a few years ago, when they should have fought each other. Now in their late 30, they must have lost a little speed.

Drowning in dollars, they may also be a little less hungry than they were on their way up the ladder. Mayweather could earn $180 million from the fight; Pacquiao $120 million.

Pacquiao has long ago lost his status as undefeated boxer. Mayweather is clinging to his, hoping to retire as unbeaten champion; maybe even equalling or breaking Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 uninterrupted victories.

The monetary factors – total earnings from the fight could eclipse $400 million – have almost sidelined the titles that will be at stake. Mayweather will defend his WBC and WBA “super” welterweight belts and Pacquiao holds WBO title.

Boxing enthusiasts who will watch the “Fight of the Century” live on SuperSport early on what will then be Sunday May 3 in Africa, may have forgotten the names or some of the men who fought the American and his Filipino opponent.

The lists of all their fights make fascinating reading and will enable their supporters to compare the records the two superstares assembled on their way to a bout that may be one of the most memorable in history. Or one of the most disappointing.