Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Mayweather-Pacquiao Press Conference: Floyd, Manny...and Justin Bieber

Some have been downright floored by ticket prices for the fight

It had to have been the longest, most respectful staredown in the history of the sport. There they were, boxing's two biggest stars - Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao - dressed as if they were heading to a high end restaurant, staring each other down, face to face.

There was no glaring, no snarling, no insulting, just a seemingly endless staredown. Strange.

Still, the press conference for the epic Mayweather-Pacquiao bout on May 2nd was nothing if not interesting. Pacquiao, who promoter Bob Arum introduced as a humanitarian, was the first to take the mic.

"I believe it is what you are waiting for since five years ago," Pacquiao uttered in awkward English. "The fight is on...we will do our best on May two to make you happy."

After speaking glowingly (and to warm applause) of God for a few moments, the man from General Santos City stepped aside almost as quickly as he had approached the podium. Mayweather, who seemed fixated with a coffee cup while being announced, took to the mic next.

"It's been a long road," Floyd said in a low, slow tone, "but we're here now."

Clearly, the guy called "Money" is aware of what a big deal the Pacquiao bout is.

"This is an unbelievable matchup," he said, adding that it will be an "action packed fight."

"I've never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life," Floyd noted.

The undefeated Mayweather also took a moment to differentiate himself from Pacquiao, who has lost fights on several occasions.

"When you lose, it's in your mind," Floyd declared. "From day one, I was always taught to be a winner."

The most shocking statement of the day, however, came from Mayweather sidekick Leonard Ellerbe.

"Ticket prices," Ellerbe said of the fight "will range from $1,500 to $7,500."

One might well have asked who could afford to go to such an event. That question would have been answered moments later, however, when Floyd's pal Justin Bieber abruptly stepped smack into a group photo op.

As if to indicate that the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout is bigger than the sport of boxing, Showtime cameras obediently cut Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach out of the shot in order to make room for the pop star.



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