Mayweather, Pacquiao decline to take the gloves off at press event
MGM GRAND LAS VEGAS – Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao must have decided to do most of their talking in the ring because Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference, often a war of words, was a decidedly complimentary confrontation.
Neither fighter took the opportunity to throw any verbal jabs at his opponent, instead praising one another and promising an entertaining showdown come Saturday.
“This has been an amazing event so far,” said Mayweather. “To all of the Filipino fans who support Manny Pacquiao, I want to say thank you. For the fans who’ve been behind me for the past 19 years, I want to say thank you. It’s time to fight now. You guys came out here to see a great event and that’s what both competitors bring to the event: excitement.”
Pacquiao was even more generous during Wednesday’s final press conference inside the Ká Theatre at MGM Grand, the last opportunity either fighter will have to speak to the press before the mega-fight on Saturday.
“Both of us, Floyd and I, have been working hard to entertain you and give you a good fight. I believe he is going to do his best and I am going to do my best to put our names in boxing history,” Pacquiao said. “But the most important thing … I’m hoping that after the fight I can have a conversation with Floyd about God, sharing my faith.”
The fighters and their camps were joined by promoters and hundreds of members of the media (and there was even a Mike Tyson sighting) for what is being billed as the biggest bout for boxing in more than a decade.
“It is an honor for the MGM Resorts family to host this highly anticipated fight of the century,” said MGM Resorts President of Entertainment & Sports Richard Sturm. “Sports fans worldwide will have the unique opportunity of witnessing boxing’s top champions as they go toe to toe inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The excitement of this event will resonate throughout our MGM Resorts properties and the entire Las Vegas community.”
The interest in this fight from boxing fans and non-fans alike has been apparent since it was first announced. Since then, MGM Resorts has already set a number of business records and continues to add ways for those interested to find a spot to watch the event. No amount of hyperbole seems to be able to encapsulate what Saturday’s main event means to the sport of boxing – not that everyone isn’t trying!
“We are finally here: Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. The biggest fight in the history of the sport. The fight of the century,” said CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe. “The worldwide attention and interest in this fight has been unbelievable and Floyd and Manny deserve all the credit.”
Fight week events continue throughout the week with an undercard press event taking place today, the official weigh-in event on Friday, and culminating in Saturday’s contest.
By: Scott Anderson