Mayweather Peeved Over Pac No-Show, Arum Explains

While Las Vegas resident Mayweather greeted his fans in typically flamboyant fashion at the MGM Grand Hotel's official ceremony, Pacquiao conducted his own fan rally elsewhere earlier in the day.

Pacquiao's long-time promoter Bob Arum felt his fighter owed it to his legions of supporters in the United States to host a public rally at the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel, where he and his entourage are staying this week.

"There are 70,000 Filipinos living in Southern Nevada, and they've obviously been very supportive of Manny," Arum stated after Pacquiao had been welcomed to Las Vegas by hundreds of excited, raucous fans.

"We felt that we owed them this type of a rally and we felt that we couldn't do it here (at the MGM Grand) because Floyd, quite properly, would have objected.

"So rather than cause any problems, we went to the Mandalay Bay where Manny is staying and we did it there and he (Mayweather) did his thing here. The timing was good so the press could be at both events."

Mayweather, however, did not agree when he spoke to reporters after treating several thousand fans to performances by stand-up comedian Ricky Smiley and the Southern University's "Human Jukebox" marching band at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"He (Pacquiao) should have been here with me," said the American. "So many different sponsors and networks came together to make it possible. It was the professional thing to support this.

"The bar is always set so high for Floyd Mayweather. If I didn't show up to the 'Grand Arrival', it would be front page (news)."