Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao came together Wednesday at the Nokia Theater and officially announce the biggest fight of the century: Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao on May 2. The interviews mostly consisted of pleasant exchanges, but Pacquiao couldn't resist taking a verbal jab at Mayweather with an assertion MMA fighter Rondo Rousey could beat the undefeated champion.
It's officially happening. On May 2, boxing fans will finally witness the fight they've long been waiting for between Mayweather and Pacquiao.
"It's been a long road, but we're here now," Mayweather said, according to ESPN. "May 2, the fight of the century. It's all about the best fighting the best, and Pacquiao is one of the best fighters of this era.
"Everything is about timing. I think we couldn't choose a better time. This is a fight that the world can't miss. It's an unbelievable matchup, action-packed fight. I'm in the gym working right now, dedicating myself to the sport, pushing myself to the limit because I never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life, and I'm pretty sure he is going to push himself to the limit because he wants to win it the same way I want to win it."
Mayweather is expected to retire after his next two fights, and defeating Pacquiao would cement his legacy as one boxing's all time greats.
"We had (Muhammad) Ali-(Joe) Frazier, we had (Sugar Ray) Leonard-(Roberto) Duran, we had Leonard-(Marvin) Hagler, and now we have Pacquiao and Mayweather," said Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank exec Bob Arum. "This is the biggest fight of its era. It's a great event for boxing. Everybody around the world is interested in this fight - ambassadors, senators, celebrities."
The two fighters were mostly congenial during their interviews on Wednesday, with Mayweather saying he expected the Filipino to be his toughest opponent yet and Pacquiao complimenting Mayweather's defense.
But at one point during the day, Pacquiao couldn't resist taking a shot at his opponent when asked by ESPN's "His & Hers" co-host Jemele Hill if Rousey, whom Mayweather previously said he had never heard of, could beat Mayweather in a fight.
"I believe so," Pacquiao said, via USA Today. "She's strong. She's strong enough to beat Floyd Mayweather in MMA."
