The Diggity Doc and Wildcard sat down to discuss the finer points of the upcoming Fight of the Century...

Diggity Doc: My dear Wildcard type of friend, it's been a while and I hope you're enjoying yourself. Before we get into the Money vs Paq specific stuff, we've had some late developments in the world of combat sport that make things interesting. Boxing has been struggling of late while MMA and the UFC rise through the ranks but just before boxing's biggest fight of our memories, besides David Tua vs Lennox Lewis, Jon Jones the best UFC fighter went and got himself in some shit again. Any thoughts?

Wildcard: Nope, not a one. You know me mate, I'm a purist when it comes to combat sports, a boxing man through and through. The martial artistry never quite did it for me beyond the legend of Bruce Lee (and maybe a lil Chuck Norris). But I hope Jon Jones sorts himself out, I never like to see squandered talent. It actually brings up a really interesting debate with regards Floyd Mayweather's own out-of-ring issues that we might get into later, that being the fact that the UFC has the power to discipline its own athletes, while boxing lacks a sole governing body, which is why Mayweather's never faced any sanctions or suspensions for his pretty shameful indiscretions (not that he could fight while in prison or anything). But save the negative stuff for later, I wanna hear a prediction. Manny or Floyd, Doc? Who wins?

DD: Yeah that's why I brought it up, bait you into some sort of cheeky debate but you're too wise for that. Ah, I like cash so I'm going with Mayweather here. While we've been told how hard Manny's been working and how dedicated he has been for this fight (rightfully so) Floyd's been active. He's never really stopped over the past few years and when you tally up all the factors, I think they fall in Floyd's favour. You?

WC: Yep, definitely Floyd. I don't think it's a sure thing but I do expect him to win. Neither's quite the fighter of their prime, however both are still well beyond everyone else. Manny struggled for a few fights there until his last fight which was a real return to form, beating the bollocks off of Chris Algieri. Except Floyd's looked untouchable throughout that whole time. You don't get to 47-0 for no reason. I do like how Manny and his team are handling the prep though, saying all the right things and sounding super up for the whole thing. It feels like a closer fight than I'd have picked a few months back.

DD: Why? Because they are saying what they should?

WC: I dunno, just a gut feeling. Like, they're taking a lesser cut of the cash, they're being very transparent in how they wanna turn it into a good guy vs bad guy fight and I'm semi convinced that Manny actually really hates Floyd, while for Floyd it seems like... I guess he seems more complacent is all. Plus he's facing the distractions of a whole new audience of sports fans learning about his domestic abuse record and the backlash that's causing. I mean, I still think the dude will win but if he thinks Manny's just in it for a pay-cheque then he's due for a rude awakening come the ringing of the bell.

DD: I've seen and read a fair bit about how serious Floyd's taking this fight, cue some woodchopping. But yeah Floyd will only really suffer defeat if he's a bit complacent while Manny could just be out-boxed? Like Manny just might not be good enough?

WC: Probably not if Floyd fights the fight he's planning on. He'll move around, he'll duck and dodge and throw an endless number of counter jabs. Manny tends to be more aggressive so that plays into Floyd's hands a bit but then in Freddie Roach he has as good a trainer as there is so they'll have a plan too, it's just hard to get Floyd to do anything he doesn't want to do. He's so patient and so defensively sound.

DD: It's hard not to appreciate Freddie Roach and as you said, he's one of the best. What do you think Roach will have cooked up for Manny? How's he going to break down Floyd's defence?

WC: Now that I'm not too sure about. I don't reckon he can overpower Floyd, it's been forever since Manny knocked an opponent out like he used to do for fun at his peak, but equally I'm not sure if he can out-box him. To be honest, I don't think Floyd does either and if he did I'm not convinced the fight would have happened.

DD: But if Manny's boxing at his peak, does he just go for the kill?

WC: Poooossibly. But that depends, do you think Peak Manny would take Floyd Mayweather? Coz I don't know that he would. It all comes down to that old sporting adage, great defence trumps great attack.

DD: I don't think many boxers would take peak Floyd, so no. Let's look beyond the fight and we know that Floyd has a few more fights on his deal, while this should be the end of the road for Manny?

WC: Not the end of his career, but almost certainly the end of his time as a major drawcard. Like, look at his last few fights. Two of the last three have been in Macao, after not having fought outside of America since 2006 before that. Floyd has one more fight on his deal but he doesn't have to take it, it's not guaranteed. The assumption was that he'd hold on for 50-0, though who really knows anymore? Of course, if this fight is a classic or if Manny wins, there's always the chance of a rematch...

The great thing about this fight is that for the first time in years, boxing is back in the spotlight. There just haven't been the personalities and especially the rivalries for the last, ooh, maybe 20 years, to sustain the sport at the levels it once was at which is a shame. Is there actually a fight in your memory that rivals the hype of this one? It even led the friggin' sports news the other day! You mentioned Tua before, the Tua-Lewis title bout was definitely up there at least in this part of the world.

DD: Yeah for sure. I vividly remember our whole family sitting in the lounge watching the Tua-Lewis fight, it had that worldwide touch to it, ya know? This one's taking it to new levels or old levels as no matter where you go, someone hates Floyd Mayweather which makes me laugh because it's the greatest marketing ploy ever really. Manny's Asian so that brings in people from everywhere while he's also earned fans who have no link to him at all. She's gonna be a beaut Wildcard, I'll bring the guacamole and see you there ... well somewhere...

WC: Exactly, Floyd loves playing the villain, Manny is an actual worldwide hero. I'll see ya somewhere that's for sure, I just wish the damn thing wasn't so expensive. But at least I don't have to pay for the guacamole. I'm super pumped for this fight, cannot wait.