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Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao faced off for only the third time Wednesday during the final press conference for their long-awaited welterweight world championship unification fight this Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, live on pay-per-view.
The last time the boxing superstars met face-to-face was at the Los Angeles press conference to formally announce the mega-fight on March 11. The first time they were photographed up close and personal came at a Miami Heat basketball game in January.
In the most eagerly awaited showdown in years – and the richest fight in boxing history — the undefeated and universally recognized No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs), an 11-time world champion in five weight divisions, will take on the fighting pride of the Philippines, Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), the only boxer to capture world titles in eight weight classes.
Here is what the fighters and executives said Wednesday at the KÀ Theatre at the MGM Grand:
Floyd Mayweather:
“The only thing I can do is take it one day at a time. When the fight gets here I will go out there and do what I do best and that’s go out and fight. From the beginning of my career, I’ve always had a game plan. It’s just like chess. We make calculated moves in the ring and outside the ring. I got with the right team and surrounded myself with the right chess pieces.
“I’m a lot wiser than I once was. This fight sells itself. Our ultimate goal was to get to this point, whether it was Manny or another fighter. I don’t take anything away from Manny Pacquiao. He’s a solid fighter; a solid competitor and it will be an intriguing matchup come Saturday.
“Everything takes time, it’s all about timing. I’m glad that we had patience and didn’t rush. The time is now, this is the right time for this fight. I want to thank all the writers for being here. Some have been around since I was 10-years-old, some have been here for my 19 years in this sport. I’m thankful for all the writers, whether the stories were good stories or bad, you guys kept me relevant for 19 years.
“This fight is about one fighter who is at the top fighting another fighter who is at the top. 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.
“When I went to training camp I worked extremely hard to win this fight and I’m pretty sure Manny did the same. That’s why this is an intriguing matchup.”
Manny Pacquiao:
“I don’t have a prediction, but I’m excited. I’m confident and I feel for the first time that I’m ready for the fight. I’m so happy because that feeling and that focus that I had many years ago, is back. I’m confident and relaxed. My love and eagerness for this fight has made me especially interested.
“I would like to invite everyone to witness the great fight between Floyd and I this Saturday. I want to be an example and inspiration to people. Before I became a boxer, I used to sleep on the street. I can’t believe that I am in this position. The boy who didn’t have food and slept on the street can have this life.
“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 do our best on Saturday and to put our name in boxing history.
“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.”
