“There are 70,000 Filipinos living in Southern Nevada, and they’ve obviously been very supportive of Manny,” Arum told Reuters 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 CIniversity’s “Human Jukebox” marching band at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The undefeated Mayweather (47-0), who is guaranteed $120 million from a mega-fight that is expected to be the richest of all time, oozed confidence as he predicted his record would remain perfect.
“I truly believe I am the smarter fighter,” said the 38-year-old. “Pacquiao is reckless. Everybody’s game plan (against Mayweather) is to come forward and throw lots of punches. It hasn’t worked in 19 years and 47 fights.” Earlier on Tuesday, Pacquiao promised that his “killer instinct” was intact as he prepared for Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) welterweight showdown.
“My confidence is different than for other fights,” the 36-year-old told reporters after his arrival at the Mandalay Bay rally was preceded by a colorful display from Filipino singers and folk dancers.
“I am not nervous. I am excited. I have something to prove. I like being the underdog because my killer instinct is there, my focus is there.”
Pacquiao, a 2-1 underdog for a fight expected to earn him more than $100 million, told the cheering fans at his rally: “Don’t be nervous.
I know I’m going to win the fight in the ring, so relax.” (Malaya)