Mayweather/Pacquiao.

It appears that, finally, the fight is going to happen. The date has been set for May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Or maybe it won't. It's still two months away and, given the antics over the last few years, it's far from etched in stone. So maybe the fight goes off, or maybe it doesn't. I wonder what, if any, sort of odds the bookies are giving on THAT?

Sure, if the fight actually happens, it's projected to set an all-time record for pay-per-views and total revenue. The high rollers will pay mega-bucks to see it live at the MGM, and countless millions more will pony up $79.95 or whatever to watch it on TV at home. Sports bars the world over will pack them in like sardines and do a very good night's business, thank you. Cha-ching. It might just be the warring factions in the Middle East and elsewhere will lay down their arms for a day to watch such a spectacle. That would be a good thing.

But you know what? The fight itself really doesn't matter that much anymore. It's WAY more about hype than substance. Floyd Mayweather is 37, and Manny Pacquiao is 36. No matter how one wishes to slice it or dice it, these are two pugilists far beyond their primes.

Five or six years ago, when both were at their peak, every boxing fan wanted to see such a match happen. But it didn't. Much of the blame can be laid at the feet of Mayweather. He wanted the lion's share of the purse and demanded Pacquiao undergo rigorous drug testing which, curiously, Floyd never mentioned undergoing himself. Throw in the usual shady promoters, who are basically in the slave trade, other rival factions, stir well, bring to a boil, and what do you get? A heaping pot of BS but no fight -- at least when it mattered.

It's not like either Mayweather or Pacaquiao is hard up for money and needs the fight to happen. Mayweather's total worth has been estimated around $300 million and Pacquiao's circa $120 million. With or without the fight, it's a safe bet both will be able to pay their electric bills at home, and won't be eating ramen noodles anytime soon.

Yep, Mayweather is undefeated and champion of all things welterweight. He's fought a couple decent fighters in recent years, but also cashed in on a few bums. In his spare time, he'll pop up here and there at other high-profile events, sporting and otherwise. He could be well on his way to stardom in the hip-hop world.

Pacquiao hasn't fared as well. He's not only been beaten in the ring, but knocked out. Yet in recent bouts, he seems to have regained his form. In his spare time, he's a Filipino congressman. He could be well on his way to becoming the President of the Phillipines. As a national hero, who would run against this guy in an election?

Then again, between rappers and politicians, it's hard to say which is more deserving of respect these days.

Nevertheless, here's hoping the fight really does happen. Let them both cash in and let the suckers pony up the big bucks to make it possible. The closer we get to the "magical" May 2 date, the higher gear the hype will shift into. Did I say "cha-ching"?

Five years ago this would have been "must-see". But not anymore.

It's just two past their prime fighters getting together for one last mega-payday.

If, as mentioned above, two guys that are 37 and 36 are the best of the 147 pound boxers anywhere in the world, then only one conclusion can be drawn.

The sport of boxing is in more trouble than we knew.

Kind of ironic how it works out. Mayweather is known for being shifty and elusive but Pacquiao is the politician.

Go figure. Only in boxing.