Video by Tyler Cook/INQUIRER.net contributor
MANILA, Philippines—“We’re gonna kick his ass.”
Freddie Roach, though civil, wasn’t exactly the kindest person in the press conference for the “Fight of the Century” between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“This is the biggest challenge of my life, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Roach said for the media blowout in anticipation of the May 2 fight between the welterweight legends at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Good luck Floyd,” Roach finished.
READ: Roach: Pacquiao will do ‘public service for boxing’ when he beats Mayweather
Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, pose for photos after a news conference, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Los Angeles. The two are scheduled to fight in Las Vegas on May 2. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
It was the first time that Pacquiao and Mayweather met in a formal event where five years of animosity and botched negotiations came to a peaceful and fruitful conclusion.
Both camps thanked the different parties, Top Rank, Showtime, HBO, in their support of the fight and coming together to make the fight happen.
Mayweather appreciated the effort that Pacquiao’s camp extended to make the mega-fight official.
“Team Pacquiao, Top Rank, it’s been a long road but we’re here now,” Mayweather said. “I want to say thank you.”
“May 2nd, the fight of the century, the best fighting the best. Pacquiao is one of the best fighters of this era. We can’t choose a better time.”
MAIN STORY: It’s on: Mayweather says he and Pacquiao to fight May 2
Mayweather added that he and his team are prepared for the “fight that the world can’t miss.”
“I’ve never wanted to win a fight so bad, and he [Pacquiao] wants to just the same as I want to win,” Mayweather said.
Pacquiao, ever the civil one, chose to preach God’s graces in between his “thank yous” and not taunt or throw any verbal jabs towards Mayweather.
He said that God can “raise someone from nothing into something, and that’s me.”
READ: Pacquiao: God will deliver Mayweather into my hands
With arguably the biggest fight in boxing history happening under his watch, Arum said that the world “will be watching this great event unfold.”
Arum was also good natured to share some laughs with the Mayweathers saying that Floyd Sr. is his “friend forever.”
“We’re family. We’re all part of this boxing family,” Arum said.
Originally posted as of 5:59 AM | Thursday, March 12, 2015
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