As the mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather draws closer, an image of Pacquiao wearing a t-shirt of Pacman biting on a dollar sign surfaced on the internet, based on a report by International Business Times.
In the picture shown by USA Today, the eight-division champion was wearing a red t-shirt and gloves and seemed to be focused on training in a boxing ring. The print on the t-shirt garnered the attention of netizens everywhere because it featured the popular yellow video game character about to munch on a dollar sign, indicating that Pacquiao, who is also known as "Pacman", is going to beat Floyd "Money" Mayweather.
The photo was shared on the official account of World Boxing Organization (WBO) on Twitter and immediately circulated in other social media networks and media outlets.
WBO posted on Twitter, "What do you think about WBO Champion Manny's t-shirt. Do you like his chances against Mayweather on May 2?"
Later, USA Today reported that the shirt was merely photoshopped, most likely by boxing fans who wanted to add to the hype and create more intrigue before the huge match.
Boxing Hype confirmed through Twitter that the t-shirt was edited. The original red Nike t-shirt featured Manny Pacquiao's white logo with a white Nike swoosh under it. The photoshopper had the two logos removed then added the dollar-biting Pacman, retouching the image, to make it look real.
Boxing Hype tweeted on March 2, "I knew Manny would never wear that shirt it was photoshopped by guys making these shirts smh @sham_ayub".
FightSaga reported that one thing is certain for both Mayweather and Pacquiao - they will have the biggest payday of their careers. Ringsides seats were said to have been sold at $100,000 each and the total earnings may be at least $200 million. Regardless of the genuineness of the controversial t-shirt, both fighters will gobble up cash.
In preparation for the big fight, Manny Pacquiao arrived in the United States at the end of February to start training camp for a span of eight weeks. He arrived with his younger brother Bobby and adviser Michael Koncz. Inquirer reported that coach Freddie Roach will follow in the next few days after his show of support for Zhou Shiming in Macau, China. Currently, Pacquiao is training under strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez. According to Pacquiao, his eight-week training camp will be sufficient for him to prepare for the giant showdown. He said that he is mentally and physically ready for the May 2 fight.
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