Mayweather-Pacquiao Finally Get Ready To Meet
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) -- The thank yous and plaudits were tossed around, as they usually are at events like these, though this press conference was far different than any other boxing press conference in the last 40 years.
It brought together two crossover stars—as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier did when boxing was still relevant in the 1970s—when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao came together Wednesday at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California—to announce their megafight on May 2 at the MGM Grand.
Pacquiao's trainer, Freddy Roach, seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year, fired the first salvo when he said, "I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time and it's the biggest challenge I've ever faced fighting the best fighter in the world and we're going to kick his (expletive)," Roach said.
Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) said the time couldn't be more right, even the most pundits know and believe the fight would have been far more competitive five years ago.
But Mayweather got his slight psychological shot in—implying that Pac-Man's imperfect 57-5-2 (38 KOs) record works against him.
"May 2, the fight of the century. This is a fight that the world can't miss," Mayweather said. "I'm in the gym right now dedicating myself to the sport. I'm pushing myself to the limit, because I never wanted to win a fight so bad before in my life. Like I'm sure (Pacquiao) is going to push himself to the limit, because he wants to win the same way I want to win.
"But one thing I do know about any sport, when you lose, it's in your mind. 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. May 2, that's when the world stops."
Ticket prices will range from $1,500 to $7,500. Ticket sales will be announced.
"We tried to make this fight happen in the past and there were a lot of problems in the past, and we finally resolved everything," Mayweather said. "This fight happened because of me. This fight didn't happen because of Manny Pacquiao. My job is to be Floyd Mayweather and stay focused on the positive things and win. I know what I can do. To be the face of boxing, and doing so many record-breaking things, it's all about staying relaxed and staying focused.
"May 2, just expect us to have a brilliant game plan. It's all about working hard and being smart and doing what we do best."
