Boxing fans pack bars for 'Fight of Century'

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. Photo / AP

Hundreds of people flocked to bars in Auckland to watch "The Fight of the Century" yesterday afternoon, many of them hoping to witness an upset worthy of the history books.

The boxing bout between undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr, and crowd favourite Manny Pacquiao promised to be a fight to remember.

Andrew Andrew on Auckland's waterfront was at full capacity by the time the welterweight title fight started just before 4pm, with latecomers having to watch from the street outside.

The bar's Filipino manager, Will Smith, had taken a particular interest in organising an event for the fight, and he estimated about 80 per cent of the people inside were supporting his compatriot Pacquiao.

The 35-year-old said a large Filipino contingent had come to watch, including 20 of his friends and family.

Around the corner at O'Hagans Irish Pub at the Viaduct, people had also resorted to standing outside to get a glimpse of the action.

Meanwhile, a star-studded crowd of 17,000 watched the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, including Denzel Washington, Justin Bieber and Paris Hilton.

But to the disappointment of many - both at the MGM Grand and in the Auckland bars - 38-year-old Mayweather won in a unanimous decision, making his record 48-0 with 26 KOs.