Mayweather v Pacquiao: Who has the most impressive fans?
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George Washington, the first President of the United States, once said of the company men keep “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company” and it seems Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao have taken this advice with varying degrees of success.
The pair clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in what promises to be the biggest boxing match in the history of the sport, with the American the 1/2 favourite and the Filipino priced at 7/4.
Ahead of the heavily-anticipated bout we look at the celebrity fans both men have and see who comes out on top in the entourage stakes.
Floyd Mayweather Junior
At first glance Mayweather may appear to have a deep love of music, with the likes of Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne and 50 Cent often seen in his corner, holding his belts or accompanying him at press events.
However, the other thing that unites these three musicians is money and lots of it. Floyd has the nickname ‘Money’ for good reason and it seems he respects other individuals who have amassed fortunes of their own.
Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne is CEO of Young Money Records an offshoot of Cash Money Records and with a fortune of $140m and his street-based background it’s easy to see why Mayweather feels he has plenty in common with the MC.
Less obvious is his affinity with Bieber, the once sugar-coated Canadian teeny-bopper. It may be his recent attempts to project a rougher image – although speeding and egging your neighbours are hardly the most “gangsta” activities. However, a personal fortune of $200m for the former Ontario busker, is an impressive haul and clearly enough to earn a spot in Money’s inner circle.
Finally, 50 Cent’s net worth of $270m is almost enough to rival PBF’s own $300m balance. And after getting shot nine times the G Unit rapper has the street credentials to make Mayweather seem even more intimidating – if that’s even possible.
The pair have had many well-publicised arguments but with the In Da Club rapper recently revealing he’ll be betting $1.6m on Mayweather it’s clear to see where his loyalties lie.
Rating – 6/10 – They may be rich beyond belief but while the rapping duo boost Mayweather’s street cred and carry the intimidation factor much of this is undone by the presence of the Bieb!
Manny Pacquiao
While Mayweather is docked points for having a popstar named Justin in his camp Pacquiao earns them for the same thing.
Justin Timberlake is a self-confessed fan of the Filipino megastar, insisting on meeting his hero and taking a photo with him when on a recent tour of the Philippines.
The former N*Sync singer may not be the ideal man to have backing you ahead of a boxing bout but if it’s a straight battle of the Justins then there is only one winner.
Pacquiao ramps it up with his next celebrity follower, Hollywood star Mark “Say hi to your mother for me” Wahlberg. As Marky Mark he may have been in the same camp as the two Justins but with film credits including Pain & Gain, 2 Guns and The Fighter the Boston man is now known for his hard man reputation.
Now set to make two more instalments of The Fighter the actor revealed that despite his character being real life boxer Mickey Ward he watched Pacquiao closely to make sure he looked the part in the ring.
And the final man in the Pacman’s corner is Liam Neeson. The British actor may be the oldest man on either side but if you’ve seen any of his latest films you’d hesitate before taking him on.
Neeson narrated the recent Pacquiao documentary ‘Manny’ and afterwards described the Filipino as “one of the greats”
Rating – 7/10 – While it’s a close run thing between Mayweather’s rapper and Pacquiao’s actors it all comes down to the battle of the Justins and the Pacman’s Timberlake shades it against Bieber.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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