Ready For Fight Of The Century
LEADING up to the May 2 bout, both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to undergo rigorous drug testing.
US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) Chief Executive Travis Tygart announced that his agency will be authorized to conduct unannounced in- and out-of-competition blood and/or urine tests on Pacquiao and Mayweather. (The USADA oversees drug test programs for Olympic sports, including cycling and track and field.)
“It’s a strong statement of the importance of clean and safe competition to have these two fighters voluntarily agree to have a WADA level anti-doping program implemented for this fight. We commend them for their stand for clean sport and the message it sends to all those who want to compete clean at the highest levels of all sport,” Tygart told the Los Angeles Times, adding that the fighters’ agreement sets an example for other athletes.
If either or both fighters are found to be using performance-enhancing drugs, they are subject to serious consequences, including a four-year ban from competition, under the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
First face-off
With less than two months until the highly anticipated showdown between Pacquiao and Mayweather, the two fighters came together at the only news conference to take place before the big event.
“The fight is on and we’re very excited,” Pacquiao said at the conference held Wednesday, March 11, in Los Angeles. “Both of us, we’re going to undergo hard training for this fight, and we will do our best on May 2 to make you happy.”
After years of anticipation, Mayweather said the “fight of the century” could not have come at a better time.
“It’s been a long road, but we’re here now,” he said.
Wednesday’s press conference was preceded by a red carpet event that gave the day a Hollywood premiere feel. Pacquiao and Mayweather were interviewed by multiple media outlets on the carpet before making grand entrances into the Nokia Theater LA Live that resembled the way fighters are called into the boxing ring.
Once in front, the two stood face-to-face in front of a crowd of media right before the conference kicked off. But both boxers conducted themselves cordially at the event, even offering positive words about their opponent.
“Pacquiao is one of the best fighters of this era and everything is about timing. I think we couldn’t choose a better time,” Mayweather said.
In a separate statement, Pacquiao said he will be prepared for destiny on May 2 and dedicated the face-off to fans who willed it to happen, as well as to Filipinos across the world.
“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” he said.
Criticism from both fighters
Outside of the press conference, however, both camps have spoken more harshly, expressing confidence that their fighter will knock the other out.
“Look, if Marquez knocked Pacquiao out like that in the sixth, then I guarantee I’ll have him out by the fifth because I beat Marquez like a slave,” Mayweather told celebtricity.com.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, said Mayweather is going to be in trouble.
“He’ll fall right into our power and he’ll get knocked out,” he said.
At the conference, Roach called the upcoming fight the biggest challenge of his life and said it was one Pacquiao would win.
“It’s finally here. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long, long time. We are in the toughest fight of our life, we’re fighting the best fighter in the world, and we’re going to kick his ass.”
In a Wednesday edition of ESPN First Take, Pacquiao said he was more worried about his matches with Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Coto than facing Mayweather in the ring.
On the show, the Filipino boxing sensation was asked by host Skip Bayless, “Why do you think Floyd was so afraid to fight you for five years?” to which Pacquiao responded, “He’s afraid of losing.”
Although Mayweather is undefeated, he addressed losing on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
“The one thing I do know about any sport: when you lose, it’s in your mind,” he said. “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, to be a winner, to push yourself to the limit, stay focused and be the best that you can be.”
Fight financials and countdown
The historical showdown between the two boxing superstars will be televised jointly between HBO and Showtime, and is expected to generate $300 million and surpass any and all pay-per-view, live gate and closed circuit records.
“The whole world is eagerly awaiting this exciting battle,” said Bob Arum, promoter of Top Rank.
At the press conference, it was announced that tickets for the showdown will start at $1,500, while seats closer to the ring will come at a $7,500 price tag. Estimates for the cost of the fight on pay-per-view are as high as $100.
Mayweather and Pacquiao will split the purse 60/40, respectively.
With the countdown to the face-off underway, Mayweather, the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter who holds a record of 47-0, said he’s training hard.
“I’m in the gym working right now, dedicating myself to the sport, pushing myself to the limit because I’ve never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life. And I’m pretty sure [Pacquiao is] going to push himself to the limit because he wants to win the same way I want to win,” he said.
With a 57-5-2 record, Pacquiao, a three-time Fighter of the Year and the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade,” said the most important result of the fight 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. That’s me. I came from nothing into something and I owe everything to God [for] this blessing.”
(With reports from CBS Sports, ESPN, Inquirer.net and Los Angeles Times)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend March 14-17, 2015 Sec. A pg.1)
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