Mayweather: Pacquiao will be number 48

Floyd Mayweather is relishing the chance to finally go toe to toe with Manny Pacquiao, after announcing the long-awaited fight will take place in May.

The undefeated 11-time world champion announced the bout by posting a picture of the signed contract on social media, adding: “I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did.”

Mayweather, unbeaten after 47 professional fights, and Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion, will now go head-to-head in a welterweight world championship unification bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.

“I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done,” said Mayweather.

“I am the best ever, TBE, and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win. Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful. He will be number 48.”

Pacquiao echoed Mayweather’s sentiments over the bout and is excited to be part of such a massive occasion.

“I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years,” he said yesterday.

“They have waited long enough and they deserve it. It is an honour to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellowFilipinos around the world.”

The pair, who both beat Ricky Hatton before the Mancunian retired, have long been considered the best fighters of their generation and boxing fans have been itching for them to get in the ring for years.

With negotiations breaking down in the past, it started to like they might never actually face each other, but hopes were rekindled last month when the pair met at a basketball match, and now an agreement has finally been reached.

The social media explosion after the announcement demonstrated why this bout, which is being promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc, has been tipped to break pay-per-view records.

Source:
www.irishexaminer.com