Floyd Mayweather Jr. said the timing couldn't be better to finally have the fight against Manny Pacquiao. And despite fans' grueling five-year wait for the mega fight to finally materialize, no one can disagree with Mayweather, especially when earlier predictions said the outspoken American could earn something in the neighborhood of $120 million for boxing's richest fight. Turns out, there might have been a slight miscalculation.

As reported by Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press, new estimates show "Money's" payoff for stepping in the ring with the Filipino boxing icon could easily reach $180 million.

As noted by Kevin Iole, Top Rank chief Bob Arum told Dahlberg that the live paid gate alone could reach $72 million. To put the astronomical nature of that figure in perspective, the current record is $20 million, brought about by the Mayweather-Canelo Alvarez bout back in 2013.

"For whatever it's worth, the buildup over these years has certainly enhanced the fight. Everybody knows about it now, even people who don't follow boxing. Plus we have a good economy, unlike 2009 when people were out of work and didn't have the money to spend," said Arum.

Ticket prices for the May 2 fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena range from $1,500 for upper deck seats, and up to $7,500 at ringside, with only a small percentage of tickets being sold to the public, Dahlberg points out.

The AP report also states that a recent deal was announced between the promoters and Sky Sports to televise the fight in England and other parts of Europe. Another $35 million is expected to come from that deal.

Dahlberg estimates that there will be another $10 million in corporate sponsorship, which, along with the fore mentioned figures, brings the total north of $100 million even before a single pay-per-view buy in North America is made.

"That's the one element that's a mystery. It seems like it will break the record, but who really knows? Anyone who predicts the total pay-per-view is whistling in the dark," Arum said about the pay-per-view that is expected to be priced at $100.

Currently, Mayweather's 2007 fight with Oscar De La Hoya holds the record with 2.44 million buys.