MANNY Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather on Friday, May 1, verified before an energetic crowd and credentialed media at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas that they did not exceed a weight of 147 pounds.
At the MGM Garden Arena, Pacquiao stood on a scale and confirmed a weight of 145 pounds, while Mayweather came in at 146 pounds.
With fans cheering for both boxers, throughout the weigh-in, Mayweather described the turnout as “unbelievable.”
“I’m glad that all the fans came to support myself and to support Manny. Now it’s time for us to go out there and do what we do best,” the undefeated champion said.
During the weigh-in, fans offered their two cents on social media, voting on who they believe will win the historical match on Saturday, May 2. A total of 59 percent cast their vote for Pacquiao and 41 percent voted for Mayweather, a result that sportscasters said was a reversal of what is posted in the betting books.
Five other boxers, all of whom had fought Mayweather and Pacquiao at some point in their careers, also offered their opinions on who would walk out of the ring on Saturday as the winner. Four of the five said they believe Mayweather would win, while one declined to select a fighter.
In an interview following the weigh-in, Pacquiao was posed with the fact that Mayweather possesses a size advantage. The Filipino fighter said he was not bothered, as he previously faced bigger fighters, such as Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito.
“I know this a great, great responsibility for me to give enjoyment to the fans and … whether you’re a fan of Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, you deserve to have a good fight,” he said, a response that drew cheers from the audience.
Upon stepping off the scale, both boxers rehydrated and engaged in another stare down before an enthusiastic audience.
The weigh-in came two days after a final press conference with the fighters of the century, which unfolded on Wednesday, April 29, in Las Vegas.
“It’s time to fight now,” said Mayweather, who carried a serious demeanor at the Wednesday event. “You guys came out here to see excitement, you guys came out here to see a great event and I think that’s what both competitors bring to the table.”
Speakers from both camps at the press conference expressed gratitude toward sponsors and the boxers for making the fight a reality.
“We really owe a deep debt of gratitude to you for taking on this historic challenge,” said Ken Hershman, president of HBO Sports.
Although name-calling occurred a number of times in the years leading up to the bout, Pacquiao and Mayweather offered no harsh words to one another on at the press conference and thanked God in their speeches.
The Filipino boxer told media on Wednesday that his strength to accomplish all his feats he has thus far has come from God.
“I just want to be an example and inspiration to everybody, how my life [was] before I became a boxer. I used to sleep in the street, starving, hungry, and now I cannot imagine that the Lord raised me in this position, and He blessed me [with] these blessings that I cannot imagine that the boy that [didn’t] have food and [slippers] and sleeping in the street that he raised me this level of life,” Pacquiao said.
As for who will win the match, the Filipino fighter said on Wednesday that only God can answer the questions in the minds of spectators when Saturday comes along. At the weigh-in, however, he gave a different answer.
“I feel tomorrow that the Lord is always with me and strengthens me and will deliver him into my hands,” he said.
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council, also praised the fighters on Wednesday for representing their countries and the sport.
“It is a fact that both fighters will be remembered for what happens May 2,” he said.
Sulaiman brought a handmade belt containing 3,000 emeralds — reportedly costing $1 million — to the conference and said whoever wins the fight will take it home. Sulaiman allowed Pacquiao and Mayweather to briefly touch the belt after his remarks.
On Friday, Mayweather provided no prediction after stepping off the weighing scale.
“I can’t really say, but you know I’m ready to fight,” he said.
“I think all 47 fights laid a major key. I dedicated myself to the sport of boxing for over 20 years and I’m ready.”
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, also did not offer a forecast about the result of Saturday’s fight at the final press conference.
“We have a good team, we’ve put together a great strategy and we’re ready for the greatest fight of our life,” he said.
On Saturday, the fight will be jointly televised by Showtime and HBO and will be available for $90 (standard definition) to $100 (high definition) via pay-per-view.
HBO Sports President Ken Hershman said there has been tireless work put into making the fight look and feel like a superbowl. He also advised those ordering the fight to do so soon, as the ordering systems are expected to be overwhelmed.
“[We] want to make sure everyone gets their order in and be part of this event,” he said.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend May 2-5, 2015 Sec. A pg.1)
