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

2014: Pacquiao, Mayweather fights same boxers but not each other

Both sides continue to trade words instead of punches as the world grows weary. Mayweather calls Pacquiao a “desperate dog” who is chasing a megabout against him due to tax problems, while Pacquiao, to disprove Mayweather’s claim, offers to fight for charity.

Pacquiao moves on and avenges the controversial loss to Bradley by dominating the American via unanimous decision to regain the WBO welterweight crown in a return to the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

Timothy Bradley (L) and Manny Pacquiao battle it out during their WBO world welterweight championship boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker/Getty Images/AFP

Barely a month after, Mayweather prevails over Argentinian Marcos Maidana in what is considered as the toughest fight Mayweather had even been in so far in his undefeated career.

Marcos Maidana throws a right to the face of Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their WBC/WBA welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 13, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP

Mayweather grants Maidana a rematch in September and won more convincingly this time.

Pacquiao fights again in Macau. He proves to be in a whole different class as he took American Chris Algieri to school to retain his WBO belt.

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (C) celebrates his victory over Chris Algieri of the US (not pictured) after their world welterweight championship boxing bout at the Cotai Arena in Macau on November 23, 2014. AFP PHOTO / XAUME OLLEROS

Mayweather and Pacquiao have fought the same boxers—Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosely and Miguel Cotto—but not each other.

https://youtu.be/wS8WJ6Lz1AU

At this point, both camps continue taunt each other everywhere but the ring. Pacquiao even appears in a Footlocker commercial where he pokes fun at Mayweather’s refusal to fight him.

But rumors of a prospective showdown between the top two pound-for-pound fighters resurface anew with Mayweather proposing a May 2, 2015 fight in one interview.

REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:

• Pacquiao’s dare to Mayweather: Let’s fight for charity
• Pacquiao wins unanimous decision vs Bradley to reclaim WBO title
• Mayweather beats Maidana in unification bout
• Mayweather remains unbeaten; says Maidana bit him in rematch
• Pacquiao shows class against Algieri, retains WBO belt