More than five years in the making, the undefeated American boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. will finally exchange blows with eight-time, eight-division champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. As the entire nation eagerly anticipates the battle, here’s a quick guide to one of the biggest boxing fights in decades.
IN A NUTSHELL: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY
WHERE:
MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada
WHEN:
The two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world will face off in the Welterweight showdown on Saturday night (May 2) in Las Vegas. The fight will air in the Philippines on Sunday, May 3.
THE FIGHTERS:
THEIR BOXING STYLES:
MAYWEATHER: Orthodox.
One of the most common stances in boxing, the right-handed Floyd will be leading with the left side of his body. Michael Olajide Jr. of Vogue writes Floyd is a “consummate boxer. Abides by the rule, ‘Hit and don’t get hit.’ Defense before offense.”
Meanwhile, Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports describes Mayweather as “the crafty, savvy boxer, a defensive wizard. But if anyone can break is going to break through the defense and land some meaningful blows on Mayweather, Pacquiao is the guy.”
PACQUIAO: Southpaw.
Manny is left-handed but he will be leading with the right side of his body. Olajide states “Pacman attacks suddenly with speed and power from awkward angles, which makes his punches hard to defend against. Offense is everything.”
Wagner-McGough adds that Pacquiao, being “one of the most aggressive, offensive forces of his generation, is the perfect contrast to Mayweather’s conservative style. It won’t be easy. You don’t connect often on Mayweather so he has to be even more active.”
THE VIEWING:
With ticket prices soaring and selling like hotcakes within a mere 60 seconds, the Mayweather – Pacquiao mega bout smashed all Pay-Per-View records. The fight will also be aired live in public on wide screen TVs. Fans can also watch and reserve tickets in participating bars, restaurants and hotels.
THE EARNINGS:
It is considered the biggest fight of this century and the biggest cash cow in boxing history. But Mayweather will earn a bit more than Pacquiao due to the 60/40 split they agreed on.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT:
Costing a million dollars, the especially designed championship belt presents one-of-a-kind features.
Crafted in Mexico, the belt is made with green leather, the same material used in Ferraris, and studded with 3,017 Emeralds. It also contains 800 grams of Gold and some silver.
Representing the countries affiliated with the WBC, it showcases 165 national flags, and features the faces of former WBC president Jose Sulaiman, Mayweather, Pacquiao and the legendary Muhammad Ali.
THE ODDS:
Aggression, speed, angles and feints are the key points for Pacquiao to win this bout. Meanwhile, Mayweather will have to focus on countering, timing, and impeccable defense.
Mayweather remains to be the undefeated man, knowing for throwing harder punches as suggested by his KO ratio. However, Pacquiao’s offensive style is one that Floyd has never fought before.
MAY WEATHER
But whether or not the fight will result into win for our country, Panahon TV reminds us to gear up for our yearly bout with May weather.
This month is the peak of the Hot and Dry Season; so maximum temperatures are likely to be recorded at this time. In Metro Manila, the forecast temperature plays between 23 to 36 degrees Celsius.
The country will continue to experience warm and humid weather conditions due to the prevailing Easterlies. These are warm winds blowing from the east that pass through the Pacific Ocean, generating thunderstorms mostly over the eastern section of the Philippines.
The Ridge of High Pressure Area may also reach the northern regions. This weather system is characterized by very light winds and clear skies.
Meanwhile, the axis of the Intertropical Convergence Zone is also expected to affect the southern regions of the archipelago. ITCZ is the breeding ground of Low Pressure Areas (LPA) and tropical cyclones. This is brought about by the convergence of the winds coming from the northeast and southeast that causes thunderstorm formations.
LPAs may be expected to form and affect the country, with a chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone or bagyo. During the month of May, the Philippines has an average of 1 to 2 tropical cyclones, with the forecast track record of hitting Southern Luzon and Central Visayas.
From the second week to the latter part of May, frequent thunderstorm formation occurs. Simply put, this month will have more rains experienced compared to April. Normal rainfall in Metro Manila is 174.98 millimeters but with the existence of the El Niño, forecast rainfall in the said area plays between 144.2 to 159.4 millimeters this month.
SOURCES:
Michael Olajide Jr. / April 29, 2015 / http://www.vogue.com/13257090/floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-vegas-fight-2015/
Sean Wagner-McGough / April 30, 2015 / http://mweb.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25167909/mayweather-pacquiao-10-things-to-know-about-fight-of-the-century
Telegraph Sport / May 01, 2015 / http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/mayweather-vs-pacquiao/11573189/When-is-Floyd-Mayweather-vs-Pacquiao-what-channel.html
Payong PAGASA Climate Guide 2015
The same weather condition from yesterday is expected to continue today as the easterlies prevail over the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas.
The skies will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated cases of rain showers or thunderstorms in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
However, rough to very rough sea conditions will be experienced over the western seaboards of Northern Luzon, prompting PAGASA to raise gale warning just this morning.
Fishermen with small seacraft are advised against sea travel in the following hours, particularly over the coasts of La Union, Pangasinan and the Ilocos provinces.
In other news, PAGASA recorded the highest temperature in the country during the month of April in Tuguegarao City with a whopping 42.2 degreesCelsius on April 29, 1912. Meanwhile, 38 degrees Celsius was the highest recorded in Metro Manila in the same month – one in Port Area, Manila in 1915 and in Science Garden, Quezon City in 1998.
The northeast monsoon or amihan remains to be the dominant weather system affecting Luzon. Amihan is expected to bring light rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains, while Visayas and Mindanao will have a generally fair weather aside from the isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.
Due to the presence of amihan, gale warning is up over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Visayas. Wind force of 52 to 63 kilometers per hour and wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters will be experienced in the seaboards of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, La Union, Isabela, Pangasinan, Ilocos provinces, Aurora, Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, Aurora, and the eastern coasst of Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon including Polillo Island, Samar and Leyte. Sea travel for fishing boats and other small seacraft is risky.
Despite the prevailing amihan, the country still experienced warm weather yesterday. Laoag City’s temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius. Here are the highest temperatures recorded by PAGASA on March 25, 2015:
Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). As of now, it is still too far and according to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, there is a slim chance for it to enter our boundary until the end of the month. However, all are still advised to monitor updates and further development regarding the weather disturbance.
Dry Spell vs. El Niño
Hundred of hectares of farmlands, and millions worth of damage in crops and fishery products have been observed in different areas of Mindanao, including Zamboanga City and General Santos. PAGASA says this is brought by the “dry spell.” Mendoza explained that dry spell refers to prolonged period of no rainfall for a week or more. It normally occurs in the Philippines, mostly when the temperatures get higher.
On the other hand, El Niño is the unusual warming of the ocean or the increase in the sea surface temperature (SST). PAGASA has initially confirmed a weak El Niño and Mendoza said this can trigger the dry spell that is currently experienced in the country.
Before departing from the Philippine boundary, Ruby has intensified into Tropical Storm category with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of about 80 kph. PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said that this because Ruby is within the vicinity of the West Philippines Sea–it’s increase in intensity due to the moisture it had gathered from the ocean.
Tropical storm Ruby was last located at 505 kilometers west southwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, moving at a speed of 20 kph. If it maintains its velocity, Ruby will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight according to PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio. Because of its distance, it will have no direct effect on any part of the country, confirmed Estareja.
Cold Weather awaits
The northeast monsoon has found its way again to Northern Luzon. Cold weather with lights rains will be experienced mostly in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos Region.
Baguio City’s temperature will range from 15 to 23 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, with the intrusion of winds from the east, fair weather is expected over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers are possible in the afternoon or evening.
Top 3 places with highest amount of rainfall
During the passage of Ruby, areas in Southern Luzon has recorded the highest amount of rainfall.
Partly cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos Region as the northeast monsoon continues to prevail over the extreme Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the easterlies will still affect the eastern section of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Metro Manila and the rest of the country can look forward to a generally fair weather with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is characterized by cold and dry air coming from Mainland China. The gradual intensification of this wind system results to colder early mornings. On the other hand, the easterlies, coming from the Pacific Ocean, brings warm and humid weather, mostly over the eastern side of the country.
PAGASA issued a gale warning, which covers the seaboards of Northern Luzon. Due to the rough to very rough sea conditions, fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
Forecasting temperatures
To guide us on our daily activities, the weather bureau provides the range of temperatures expected in key cities in the Philippines.
PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang explained that they forecast these temperatures by using the CLIPER (Climatology and Persistence) method and actual data. Based on the observed high and low temperatures of a certain city, CLIPER allows forecasters to chart its expected highest and lowest temperatures the next day.
For today’s temperature, Metro Manila will have 23-32°C. A temperature range of 25-32°C will be experienced in Metro Cebu while Metro Davao can expect a slightly warmer day with 25-34°C.