As we approach the Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight, there is a buzz in the air. That is to be expected for fights of this nature, but the vibe surrounding this fight is downright crackling. The hype around this fight is real, not manufactured. Let’s take a look at why this is boxing’s most anticipated fight in years.

They Are in Their Prime

Mayweather is 33, while Pacquiao is 31. But this is not like when Marvin Hagler (32) fought Sugar Ray Leonard (30), as these men are at the peak of their powers despite being in their thirties. Pacquiao has shown even better form in the past two years than at any point in his career. Mayweather, in his past two fights, has shown zero depreciation from his best form.

Normally, in a superfight of this nature, one of the fighters is a little old, moving up in weight, or showing signs of wear. This is a rare chance to see two of the best in the game fight each other without any excuses being available to the loser. They are in the same weight class and neither fighter has shown any perceptible signs of erosion.

They Are the Best

In other megafights, like Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad, Ray Leonard-Tommy Hearns, or Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker, the participants were great indeed, but not the runaway number-one and number-two fighters in the sport. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao just might be the only fight in history where the two best in the entire sport actually fight each other. Other historical matches have claims to that distinction, as well, but at no time have the two fighters been such clear #1 and #2 selections. Their unanimous standing as the top two in the game creates a historic backdrop to this fight.

High Stakes

That is the understatement of the year. To fully grasp the historic nature of this match, take a look back at the careers of some of the all-time greats. All of them have a particular fight that ended up determining their placement on the all-time list, a pivotal moment in their careers where their greatness was either validated or put into question. Both fighters have already compiled bodies of work worthy of greatness, but a win here enables the victor to kick it up to the next notch. The winner of this fight puts a stamp of absolute greatness on his legacy that maybe only 10-12 fighters in history can claim.

Both fighters have great records, but there will always be a critic who claims their opponents were too old, too slow, too small, not good enough, too worn out, robbed, overrated, and the list goes on. A win over either Mayweather or Pacquiao becomes the ultimate argument-ender. Right now, it’s difficult to place these guys historically. We know they’re great, but to what extent? A victory here will crystallize the situation.

Mutual Animosity

Why would these guys like each other? Mayweather was the king of boxing. He stepped away for a little while, and here comes Manny Pacquiao stealing all his thunder. The safety-first fighting approach of Mayweather was soon forgotten in the midst of the Pacquiao tornado, which took over the sport. Mayweather doesn’t like to have his greatness questioned. He was genuinely insulted at the notion that a better king had dethroned him. His two lopsided comeback wins over Marquez and Mosley show he’s back and means business.

Pacquiao plays the role of a cool customer well, but any human being would be seething mad at Mayweather if in Manny’s spot. Mayweather is the one responsible for this cloud of doubt that surrounds Pacquiao concerning whether performance-enhancing drugs are at the root of his unprecedented success. While it is bizarre how many people have taken up Mayweather’s side on this, the damage to Pacquiao’s reputation is real.

Unsubstantiated suspicions should ideally amount to a hill of beans, but Mayweather has been masterful in securing the victory in the first battle of P.R. Upon Floyd’s comeback after a brief retirement, he began planting the seeds of doubt, claiming Manny is on PED. Then as negotiations for their fight earlier this year came to a close, Mayweather demanded Olympic-style drug testing. In the end, Pacquiao refused the conditions. Some say there is no way a clean fighter walks away from a $30-million payday over some blood tests. Others rightfully question Floyd’ right to play the role of commissioner and applaud Manny’s refusal to kowtow to the unprecedented demands of the slanderous Mayweather.

A Colossal Event

With the state of the economy, it is mind-boggling to consider that both fighters will earn more in this one night than any players in team sports today will make in a whole season. The projected 2.5 million (who knows how high it can go?) pay-per-view buys will generate over $125 million in revenue, plus untold millions from other sources. Las Vegas will be unhinged, the superstars will pack ringside, and boxing once again will be on the front page. It is a rare occasion to see all-time greatness determined not over the course of a year or an era, but on a single night.