Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. pose for the media during the final press conference held at the KA Theatre in MGM Grand, Las Vegas Nevada on Wednesday, 29 April 2015. Photo by Rem Zamora/INQUIRER/ See more at FRAME
LAS VEGAS—If this highly anticipated bout is going to rank up there among the classics, it had better flaunt the kind of fireworks palpably missing in the final press conference
before fight night.
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were a picture of decorum as they spoke briefly in front of journalists on Wednesday at MGM Grand’s KA Theater—both stayed away from the drama and verbal jabs that fighters normally engage in during prefight events.
There was little surprise that Pacquiao was an epitome of humility during the event attended by a huge throng of journalists from all over the world.
A surprise? Well, Mayweather was too.
“First of all, I wanna thank God,” Mayweather said. “God made all of this possible.”
Perhaps Mayweather was out to massage an image that has been taking a hit because of his past record.
Or, maybe because this press conference was as useful as an air-conditioner in the Arctic: There simply is no need to hype a fight the entire world had been clamoring for the past five years.
Even Mayweather, who has been involved in some of the biggest, highest-grossing fights in boxing, admitted he was floored by the interest the fight was generating.
“I am amazed by the turnout,” Mayweather said.
The strongest words uttered during the press conference came from trainer Freddie Roach, who guaranteed a victory for Pacquiao on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), when the two clash to unify their welterweight titles and settle once and for all who should sit on boxing’s pound-for-pound throne and be anointed as the best of his era.
Biggest fight in years
The fight is so big and so well publicized that Bob Arum, the Top Rank chief who promotes Pacquiao and who can sell a molehill as a mountain, took a different tack and even downplayed the bout’s place in the history of the sport.
“The only thing I can say in certainty is that in this century this fight is the biggest fight in the last 15 years,” Arum told journalists after the press conference.
“And anybody who tries to say that this fight is bigger than any fight in the other eras, they’re entitled to their opinion. But let me assure you. They’re wrong.”
“I wanna be honest about it,” Arum added. “It would be the greatest thing for me as a promoter. It might be the most money generated but that’s because it’s a big fight (not only) because of the interest, but also because of technology.”
Among the classics
Pacquiao has vowed to make sure this fight will rank somewhere up there among the classics—Duran-Leonard, Hagler-Hearns, Ali-Frazier, Hagler-Leonard and Tyson-Holyfield come to mind—but a lot will depend on how much the guy in the opposite corner will cooperate.
“I have worked hard to help this fight make history,” Pacquiao said.
Mayweather may have to play a part to make this a classic, too. And if Floyd Sr. is to be believed, we can expect fistic fireworks on Saturday.
“I’m going to say it right here,” the loquacious Mayweather trainer declared. “I think my son … will go forward this time and I think he’ll back Pacquiao. He might move around a round or two but I don’t think Floyd is going backward for too long.”
Defensive style
Pacquiao believes that too.
“I think Floyd and I have worked hard to prepare for this fight and make sure we entertain the fans,” said Pacquiao.
The fight is expected to earn $400 million and to watch it, fans will have to shell out a huge amount of money. And that’s on closed-circuit TV. To watch it live is even a more bank-breaking proposition.
Mayweather hinted he might indeed jazz up his defensive style.
“This fight is about one fighter who is at the top fighting another fighter who is at the top,” said Mayweather. “It’s about giving you guys excitement. We don’t know how this fight is going to play out but I believe in my skills. I believe I am going to be victorious.”
Amazing turnout
The undefeated American paid tribute to his opponent who, experts say, is the last fighter in the world who could possibly ruin Mayweather’s perfect slate.
“I don’t take anything away from Manny Pacquiao,” Mayweather said. “He’s a solid fighter, a solid competitor, and it will be an intriguing matchup come Saturday.”
What was another surprise at the press conference was Mayweather’s shoutout to Filipino fans, who have come in droves to support Pacquiao.
“To all Filipino fans supporting Manny Pacquiao, I wanna thank you guys,” Mayweather said.
The press conference lacked the fire and animosity that normally sell fights as the boxers held back on trash talking. Instead, they gave brief speeches acknowledging the hard work the other put in before leaving the stage.
Mayweather, who has been part of some of the biggest fights in history, even admitted he was in awe of the interest his showdown with Pacquiao had drawn.
“This has been a truly amazing turnout,” he said.
Adrenaline overflowing
Whatever Mayweather says, Pacquiao’s adrenaline is overflowing.
Facing the media, Pacquiao said the feeling he once felt 10-11 years ago was back. In fact, he appeared fired-up and confident he could hardly wait for the opening bell.
‘My focus is back’
He wants Mayweather badly and he wants the people to enjoy the show.
“I’m so happy because that feeling and that focus that I had many years ago is back,” Pacquiao said. “My eagerness for this fight has made me especially interested.”
Though Pacquiao had said many times before that he was going to erase the zero (no defeat) on Mayweather’s ledger, he didn’t give a specific answer in the final press conference on how he’d do it.
‘Am ready to fight’
Whether he was going to knock Mayweather out, or force the referee to stop the fight, or gain the judges’ decision, Pacquiao refused to say.
“I don’t have a prediction but I’m excited,” he said. “I’m confident and I feel for the first time that I’m ready for the fight.”
The only assurance that Pacquiao gave was that he and Mayweather would try to make the fans happy with their performance.
Pacquiao noted that the fans were paying a high price for their tickets and deserved to see a good fight.
Pacquiao: ‘Am prepared’
“We did our best in training camp,” the Filipino said. “We trained privately because we have to concentrate on some techniques.”
He also said: “On Saturday our goal is to make the fans happy with our performance. Both of us will work very hard to entertain the fans and give a good fight … I hope that both Floyd and I (would) do our best on Saturday to put our name in boxing history.”
Pacquiao, however, gave an inkling of what he intended to do against Mayweather.
“I’m prepared for whatever he’ll bring into the ring,” Pacquiao said. “ The most important thing I hope for is that after the fight I can talk with Floyd about being an inspiration to people all around the world.”