![Floyd Mayweather and Ryan Garcia [right] are supposedly in talks for a showdown](/img/v1/1920?src=https%3A%2F%2Fphoto2.boxingscene.com%2Fuploads%2Ffloyd-mayweather-and-ryan-garcia-right-are-supposedly-in-crop-16x9-lhhyyb.webp)
Sulaiman: Mayweather, Pacquiao Could Be Great Fight
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
UNDEFEATED pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. has provided an insight into his real feelings about the classic multi-million dollar showdown with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 2 (May 3 in Manila).
The Showtime network, which is on the fifth fight of a six-bout $200-million deal it signed with Mayweather, has ramped up the anticipation for what Philippine TV rights’ holders Solar Entertainment promotes as “The Battle for Greatness” in a short promotional video from inside the training camp of Mayweather in his Las Vegas gym.
“This is an unbelievable match-up. I’m in the gym working right now, dedicating myself to the sport, pushing myself to the limit. I have never wanted to win a fight so bad in my life,” Mayweather explained.
Meanwhile, in a brief appearance with the Mexican legends, whom he beat such as Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik “El Terrible” Morales on Mexican television, Pacquiao said: “I don’t worry about this fight. I was more worried when I fought Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.”
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman, in an interview with boxing writer and TV reporter James Blears sent to the weekly boxing show “The Main Event” over Pinoy Box Office on Sky Cable in the Philippines, said there was a clear difference in the way Mayweather and Pacquiao present themselves.
Sulaiman noted that both fighters showed tremendous confidence, with Mayweather “concentrated” and a “very peaceful Manny Pacquiao.”
“They have been in great fights and they have been under pressure,” Sulaiman said. “Both Pacquiao and Mayweather are completely ready and could fight tomorrow. They are mentally ready and only have to get ready physically.”
When the possibility of a rematch was brought up, Sulaiman said such a decision will have to be made after May 2, although he said the showdown “has the potential to be a great fight.
In an international conference call after the fight was announced, the top executives of Showtime and HBO Sports indicated there was lots of work to be done ahead of the fight.
However, Stephen Espinoza said: “The reality is, if it’s something the fans want and something the fighters want, then the networks will find a way to make it happen."
