‘Fight of the Century’ airing for free in Mexico

Boxing fans living on the southwest border can watch a free broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather match airing on Mexican television.

“We’re expect a lot of people,” said Oscar Ramirez, a waiter at an Applebee’s restaurant in Ciudad Juarez.

The restaurant is adding extra tables to accommodate the crowd. Bars and restaurant in the border city expect to attract plenty of fans from the U.S. side since they are not charging extra at the door.

“You only pay for what you order,” said Ramirez.

Many sports bars and other places in the U.S. have a cover charge to see the “fight of the century.”

In Mexico, the two major television networks, Azteca and Televisa, are broadcasting the match free. “So it’s easier and better for us to watch it on TV,” said Eduardo Gonzalez, a Ciudad Juarez resident.

Along the border the broadcast has a two second delay. In the interior of Mexico there’s a minute delay after every round. It’s a small difference that translates into big savings for residents on both sides of border.

Those who don’t want to cross the border to watch the fight at bar or restaurant and then wait in long lines at international crossings to return to the U.S. side can dust off their old “rabbit ears” antennas and tune into Mexican channels from home.

Either way, fans on both sides of the border are pleased they can choose where they want to watch the fight for free.

“It could be at a bar or probably at home.” said Gonzalez.