Mark Wahlberg
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Actors Mark Wahlberg and Scarlett Estevez and Owen Vaccaro film a scene for the upcoming movie Daddy's Home while sitting courtside for a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

More and more people believe that the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao super fight is good for the sport. Add celebrity and actor Mark Wahlberg, who has a track record of supporting and following Pacquiao and the sport of boxing as part of that list as he thinks that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight on May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the best thing that could have happened to boxing.

“The most important thing is that all of the boxing fans, all over the world, have finally gotten what they wanted. You know it’s important for the sport, it will re-ignite the sport,” Wahlberg shared to TMZ.com when asked about the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. “And hopefully next time, any great athlete who thinks of going to MMA [Mixed Martial Arts] or any other sport [will think] ‘you know what, I can still make a bigger splash in the boxing world. Am glad that it came together.”

Wahlberg, who is a self-confessed fight fan, particulalry of Pacquiao, has visited the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach in Los Angeles multiple times in the past to watch the Filipino train.

In previous interviews, Wahlberg admitted that he looked to Pacquiao and studied him when he portrayed boxer Mickey "Irish" Ward in his 2010 movie, “The Fighter”. Wahlberg, who broke into the Hollywood stardom with the film, “Boogie Nights” in 1997, is also the producer of the boxing-based movie.

When asked on who’s he’s bet in the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, Wahlberg stated that he can’t “give that information right now” and that he likes both fighters.

The Mayweather (47-0-0, 28 knockouts) and Pacquiao (58-5-2, 38 knockouts) fight has been finalised after the undefeated American announced he signed the contract last Friday putting into overdrive the hype machine roughly two months before the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world today exchange gloves on top of the squared ring. Bob Arum, chief of Top Rank Promotions, which handles Pacquiao fights said in recent interviews that demand for tickets is very high and this includes many A-list celebrities, artists and actors who are looking forward to the fight.

Wahlberg’s contention is that the Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight most likely will save the sport of boxing. With the hype and anticipation for the bout at an all-time high, it appears the actor’s observation is not far from the truth.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au

RELATED STORIES