Pacquiao vs Mayweather: Showdown of the ‘best of the best’

MANILA, Philippines - For fleeting seconds, the central figures to boxing history’s richest, biggest fight uttered no word. They just went eyeball-to-eyeball.

That best encapsulated the magnitude of the coming May 2 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand. For this is one fight that needs no hype.

But the two boxing icons had to go through the traditional media launch before 700 select members of the press at the Nokia Theatre in Hollywood.

The next time the two boxers will see each other will be on fight week.

One after the other, Pacquiao and Mayweather were given a chance to speak. Bob Arum held the microphone for Team Pacquiao; Leonard Ellerbe for The Money Team.

But it was Freddie Roach who tried to stoke the fire of the forthcoming showdown.

“I love challenges and this is the biggest challenge of my life. We waited long for this fight. We are in the toughest fight of our life. We’re fighting the best fighter in the world,” he said.

“And we’re gonna kick his ass. I’m sorry, but good luck Floyd,” Roach said in concluding his very short speech.

His counterpart, Floyd Mayweather Sr., did not speak, which was quite unusual because the man who loves to wear bright-colored suits can talk and talk and talk until no one’s listening.

Pacquiao stood next, and spoke for two minutes or so.

“I’m so happy we could make the fight happen. Thanks to the Mayweather Team and to Showtime and HBO. The fans of boxing were waiting for this for five years,” said Pacquiao inside the venue located just a couple of blocks from the Wild Card Gym.

“I just want the fans to be satisfied,” said Pacquiao, who in separate interviews vowed to break Mayweather’s patented shoulder-roll defense, and deal the American his first loss after 47 wins.

“We will do our best on May 2 to make you happy,” he added.

Only a good fight can make the fans happy because they will watch the fight for a price. It was announced during the press conference that tickets will go from $1,500 to $7,500 – before they land in the black market.

Pay-per-view is being pegged at close to $100 per household, and before the bell rings on May 2, promoters are looking at a new record of perhaps four million buys.

The 36-year-old Filipino turned to the bible before his speech was over.

“The most important thing is that the name of the Lord will be glorified. I want to let the people know that there is God who can raise someone from nothing into something. And that’s me,” he said.

“I came from nothing into something and I owe everything to God. He gave me this blessing. It’s all credit to the Lord,” Pacquiao added.

Mayweather sat quietly. Then it was his turn to speak. Everybody listened.

The five-division world champion thanked his father, for being “an unbelievable trainer” and an “unbelievable person.”

“It’s been a long road. But we are here now,” said the 38-year-old pound-for-pound champion and pay-per-view king.

“May 2, the fight of the century. It’s all about the best against the best. And Pacquiao is one of the best of this era. Our plan is to be smart and take every fight as they come like all 47 fights.

“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,” said Mayweather.

Pacquiao and Mayweather, and their promoters, and pop star Justin Bieber, stood at the center of the stage for more photo-ops.