The road to the Pacquiao-Mayweather ‘Fight of the Century’

2012: Mayweather jailed, Pacquiao knocked out

Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. AP/INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

Early in the year, Pacquiao and Mayweather reportedly talk over the phone about the possibility of a megafight. According to ESPN, it was Mayweather who reached out to Pacquiao for a possible May 5 fight, but both fighters couldn’t agree on the equal purse split.

Just before he is set to serve time, Mayweather returns to light middleweight division and triumphs over one of Pacquiao’s victims in Cotto via unanimous decision in May.

At 42-0, it seems like nothing could stop Mayweather. But his career hits a snag as he is detained at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas for 90 days for the domestic violence charges. He is released in August.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is lead away in handcuffs at the Clark County Regional Justice Center as he surrenders to serve a three-month jail sentence at the Clark County Detention Center on June 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker/Getty Images/AFP

While Mayweather is locked up with no television in his solo cell, Pacquiao loses to American Timothy Bradley in a highly-disputed split decision to end an unbeaten run. Amid criticisms from fans and major news outlets, the WBO’s Championship Committee reviews the video of the fight and says that Pacquiao should’ve won. The result, however, cannot be overturned.

Timothy Bradley (L) of US celebrates his victory over Manny Pacquiao (R) of the Philippines following their WBO welterweight title match at the MGM Grand Arena on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMAR

Six months later, the boxing world stands still as Pacquiao falls flat on his face after lunging into Marquez’s counter right hand in their fourth and final meeting. Pacquiao is knocked out cold with just a second left in the sixth round in his non-title bout at welterweight against the Mexican boxer.

Referee Kenny Bayless (C) holds back Juan Manuel Marquez (R) as Manny Pacquiao (L) lies face down on the mat after being knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez on December 8, 2012, at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP PHOTO / John Gurzinski

After Pacquiao’s back-to-back setbacks, chances of the fight against Mayweather ever happening look bleaker than ever.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Pacquiao ‘embarrassed’ by Mayweather offer
• Judge refuses to ease boxer Mayweather jail stay
• Mayweather released from Vegas jail after 2 months
• Pacquiao loses in split decision to Bradley
• Marquez knocks out Pacquiao in 6th round