After his exciting defeat of Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title, Manny Pacquiao has proved he is one of boxing’s true powerhouses. It wasn’t so much that Pacquiao outpunched Cotto as the way in which he did it; every punch was accurate and devastating, and Cotto’s usually dynamic approach crumbled like nothing. Defeated by the eighth round, Cotto looked like a fighter on the wrong side of a serious beating. His face was completely bloody, his once-proud torso looked ragged and tired, and only the referee’s intervention in the final round saved him from possible knockout. That it was the final round when the referee stopped the fight speaks volumes for Pacman’s stamina; at a time when most fighters are content to see out the clock and play it safe, Pacquiao was pounding Cotto and showing a ruthless streak only true champions possess.

Pacquiao’s speed, the accuracy of his punches, his ability to give, as well as take, a beating from often larger opponents, all point squarely to why the coming megabout between him and Mayweather deserves that title. Welterweight boxing is enjoying a period better than ever before, and Mayweather v. Pacquiao is the crowning moment of this era.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight will be boxing’s biggest earner ever. Not since the 80s have we seen such interest in a single fight, and the entire boxing world is on notice until the official date is announced. You can be assured that Mayweather-Pacquiao tickets will be completely sold out within hours of going on sale. The promoters well know this, and the head-games have already begun. Pacman’s promoter, Bob Arum has said, “If Mayweather wants to fight Manny, let him call me.”

Mayweather’s answer?

“Manny Pacquiao doesn’t say anything directly about fighting me because he might just know it’s not a fight he can win.”

The biggest boxing showdown in decades must happen, for many reasons. Not least of which, to counter the cynics who say that all boxing is fixed, and that a fight between two dangerous fighters such as these will never be allowed to happen. Pacquiao and Mayweather are probably quite wary of each other. Mayweather’s ego will be twitching at the notion that a smaller man could beat him down. Pacquiao will be itching to set his vicious, many-handed assault on the man who has declared himself “the greatest”, to prove to the world that he, not Mayweather, is the number one pound-for-pound fighter.

But Floyd Mayweather Jr. is no fool. He knows what potential lies in the fast hands of Pacman. Between July, 2005 and June, 2008 Mayweather was described as the number-one pound-for-pound boxer in the world by The Ring magazine, and for good reason; where Pacquiao relies on speed and exactitude in his punching, Mayweather is capable of amazing analysis and stamina. An ability to diagnose the weakness in his foe as the fight progresses means Floyd can exploit those weaknesses in a relentless barrage of merciless punches that quickly wear down his opponent. Mayweather was born into a boxing family, his father Floyd Senior having been a welterweight contender himself. This legacy was quick to express itself in Mayweather Jr; he has successfully fought his way through any and all comers, earning an “undefeated” tag that rightfully sends fear through those who meet him toe-to-toe in the ring. Mayweather likes to play the game, often indulging in public insults and belittlements, and his vanquished opponents have all felt the barbs on their way to the canvass. Whether this aspect of Mayweather’s preparations will have any effect on Pacquiao remains to be seen. Pacquiao is from a different world, one that speaks a different language. He does his talking in the ring, and leaves the rest to expert trainer Freddie Roach. Anyone who saw Pacquiao’s utter humiliation of Ricky Hatton knows he is in good hands. Roach’s preparations made the Hatton camp look like amateurs, as Pacman slammed Hatton onto the canvass in the second round and made a mockery of the fight.

Mayweather might see things differently though. He will approach this megabout with confidence, with verve and sass. He is a powerful boxer – possibly the greatest welterweight who ever lived – with his recent destruction of Juan Manuel Márquez fresh in his mind. The rock-steady American against the formidable Filipino stands as the single most tantalizing boxing match in living memory. Make sure you buy Mayweather Pacquiao tickets and are right there to see this awesome spectacle.