Mayweather-Pacquiao Have Press Conference to Hype Fight
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao came face-to-face in a traditional boxing stare-down Wednesday at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles in anticipation of their mega-fight on May 2.
"I believe this is what you are waiting for since five years ago," Pacquiao, 36, said at the podium, as reported by ESPN. "The fight is on, and we're very excited. Both of us will undergo hard training and we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy."
Mayweather said this is a must-see bout that the "world can't miss."
"It's been a long road, but we're here now," said Mayweather, 38. "May 2, the fight of the century. It's all about the best fighting best, and Pacquiao is one of the best fighters of this era. Everything is about timing. I think we couldn't choose a better time. This is a fight that the world can't miss. It's an unbelievable match-up, action-packed fight. I'm in the gym working right now, dedicating myself to the sport, pushing myself to the limit because I never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life, and I'm pretty sure he is going to push himself to the limit because he wants to win it the same way I want to win it."
When Pacman commented that Mayweather "has a good defense," but that he can "easily break that defense" and his trainer, Freddie Roach, warned Floyd that "we're gonna kick his ass," Money reminded them that he has never tasted defeat at 47-0.
"One thing I do know about any sport — when you lose, it's in your mind," said Mayweather, referring to Pacquiao's blemished 57-5-2 record, with Justin Bieber by his side. "If you lost once, it's in your mind. If you lost twice, it's in your mind. From day one, I was always taught to be a winner no matter what, push yourself to the limit, stay focused and be the best that you can be."
The fight figures to be the most lucrative in boxing history, with Mayweather to earn upwards of an estimated $100 million and Pacquiao to pocket an estimated $80 million or higher. ESPN estimates the fight will generate more than $400 million, counting pay-per-view sales and box-office ticket sales.
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(Photo: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
