Fight's on: Boxers Pacquiao and Mayweather face off after five-year wait
Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet for the richest bout in history - as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather came face to face on Wednesday for the first time since their May 2 mega-fight was announced.
“It’s been a long road but we’re here now,” said the unbeaten Mayweather, who brought Justin Bieber along in his entourage.
The eagerly-awaited welterweight world title showdown in Las Vegas has been five years in the making.
Filipino icon Pacquiao said: “The fight is on and we’re very excited.
"Both of us will undergo hard training, and we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy.”
The celebrated duo seemed relaxed as they posed and chatted for a group of about 600 media representatives.
The deal for the bout was sealed only on Feb 20, leaving little time for the usual pre-bout media blitz.
That made Wednesday’s event the only joint news conference they will conduct before fight-week gets underway.
“On May 2, I have a tough test,” Mayweather said.
“Manny Pacquiao is a good fighter. I can’t see how it will play out, I am not a psychic. But you best believe I will be in top shape and the best I can be.”
The American did predict he would emerge with his unblemished record intact.
“I believe in my skill. I believe in myself,” said Mayweather, who puts a record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts on the line.
Pacquiao, 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, displayed his usual quiet confidence in a cavernous auditorium normally reserved for pop concerts and Hollywood A-listers.
Photos: AFP, USA Today Sports
“I believe I will win on May 2,” said the down-to-earth 36-year-old southpaw, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.
Source: Reuters
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