Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao Promote May 2 Fight
At a press conference for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao fight, the two boxers came face to face on Wednesday, March 11, to promote the fight scheduled to take place in Las Vegas.
The meeting marks the first and only time the pair will square off ahead of the weigh in, 24 hours before their May 2 fight.
Pacquiao arrived first and walked the red carpet, and the Filipino boxer was dapper in a dark suit and purple tie. Mayweather arrived next and posed for pictures wearing a light grey suit and striped shirt.
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At the press conference, Pacquiao was the first to make his way to the stage, followed by Mayweather who walked to "We Will Rock You."
The fighters came face to face, and had their first stare-down which amounted to 38 seconds.
"This is the biggest challenge of my life and I've been looking forward to this for a long time. We are in the toughest fight of our lives, we are fighting the best fighter in the world," Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach said. "But we are going to kick his [expletive]."
Both boxers were incredibly polite and respectful during the press conference.
"For the fans of boxing, I believe, this is what you are waiting for since five years ago. Both of us are going to undergo hard training for this fight and we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy," Pacquiao said.
Mayweather praised his opponent and said that it all came together at the right time.
"This is a fight the world can't miss," said Mayweather. "It is an unbelievable match-up. I'm in the gym working hard right now, dedicating myself to the sport because I've never wanted to win a fight so much in my life."
Both fighters also thanked the people who have been instrumental in their success which ultimately led them down to this epic event.
"First off, I have to thank my father," said Mayweather. "Unbelievable trainer, unbelievable person. It has been a long road but here we are now. Al Haymon—remarkable guy."
"I want to thank all the Filipino fans who are watching at home. I want to thank Freddie Roach for being nice to me and Bob Arum," Pacquiao said. "I want to let people know that God can raise someone from nothing to something—and that is me. I came from nothing to something and I owe everything to God."
The bout, which is the richest in history, will also be the most expensive to see as ticket prices in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2 will start at $1,500 in the rafters and rise to $7,500 at ringside. It has been reported that tickets have been reaching upwards of $150,000 on the black market.
