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 Back in the same room for the first time since March 11 when they
came together to promote Saturday's welterweight championship bout,
the two fighters traded compliments rather than jabs and even shared
a laugh during the traditional 'stare-down' photo opportunity.
"This fight sells itself, I don't have to do that," the undefeated
Mayweather (47-0) told reporters of taunting his opponent.
"This fight is not good versus evil, (it's) one fighter who is at
the top going against another fighter at the top."
Any buzz surrounding the event was sucked out of the glitzy MGM
Grand Ka theater as a dozen other people involved in the fight
promotion took turns at the microphone before Mayweather and
Pacquiao finally had a chance to speak.
Even Pacquiao manager Freddie Roach, who can normally be counted on
for a provocative comment, offered up a bland cliche.
"Floyd, I wish you the best of luck, Manny I wish you the best of
luck, may the best man win," Roach told a wall of over 100
television cameras and hundreds of reporters before quickly taking
his seat.
The boxers' fashion sense was as contrasting as their styles in the
ring.
The attacking Pacquiao arrived on stage dressed sharply in a blazer
and trousers while Mayweather, recognized as one of the best
defensive fighters of all-time, chose his 'Money Team' track suit.
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But their messages were uniform, with both men thanking God and
everyone involved for what is expected to be the biggest grossing
prize fight ever.
"It's nothing personal ... just doing our jobs trying to put our
names in boxing history," said Pacquiao.
With Mayweather and Pacquiao subdued, promoters and broadcast giants
HBO and Showtime, who share the pay-per-view rights, tried to
provide a few fireworks by trumpeting their fighters and all things
connected to them as the gold medal standard.
Those shots, however, were mostly duds and Mayweather put the
spotlight where it belonged.
"It's about the two fighters," he said. "I believe in my skills, I
believe I am going to be victorious.
"I went to training camp expecting I was going to win this fight and
I'm pretty sure he did the same. It is an intriguing matchup."
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
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