Free viewing for the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather match is not going to be available online. Boxing fans in the United States reportedly need to shell out fees ranging from $89-$100 for an HBO or Showtime Pay-Per-View viewing, according to Christian Today.
American federal judge, George Wu, implemented a court rule banning cable providers from producing live streams of the match on the internet. As per Wu's official statement upon putting the rule in effect, the judge said:
"This temporary restraining order is issued and effective as of 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on April 30, 2015 and will expire at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on May 7, 2015."
The federal order seeks to prevent the existence of links to free streaming of the match online, as well. Wu clarified that:
"Plaintiffs have established that they will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of immediate relief. Among other things, Defendants' threatened infringement would strip Plaintiffs of the critical right of first transmission and publication of an extremely valuable live sporting event, would interfere with Plaintiffs' relationships with third parties, is likely to damage Plaintiffs' goodwill among consumers, and will deprive Plaintiffs of revenue that will be difficult or impossible to calculate, but is likely far in excess of any amount that Defendants could repay to Plaintiffs in damages even if the amount could be calculated."
The 100% compliance on Wu's order is yet to be seen tonight. The long-awaited match between the Philippino and American boxing champs starts at 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT and 4 a.m. BST). MGM Grand's doors open live in Las Vegas at 2 p.m. Pacific Time. Undercard ring matches prior to the big fight start at 3 p.m. local time.
Meanwhile fans in the United Kingdom have the following options to watch the Pacquiao-Mayweather match for 2015:
-Skysports Pay-Per-View for GBP 19.95 from Sky TV Remote.
-Skysports PPV Online Streaming.
-Skysports PPV booked viewings via phone.
The Telegraph reported, though, that viewings booked over the phone for Skysports done from midnight, May 1st until May 3, 7:00 a.m., bears an additional charge of 5 GBP per booking.
Fans may opt to watch the match on Showtime PPV online. Click here to find out how.
The match is reportedly set to raise $400 million in sales, according to BBC.
The unbeaten Mayweather is confident he is going to emerge victorious tonight. The 38-year old veteran boxer said:
"I believe that with my skills, I'm going to be victorious,"
"I don't take anything away from Manny Pacquiao, he's a solid fighter and it will be an intriguing match-up."
"But after Saturday, I'll still be 'TBE' [The Best Ever]."
The WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles are at stake at the MGM Grand match.