MANILA, Philippines - During last Thursday’s Hollywood-style press conference for his May 2 clash with Manny Pacquiao, the undefeated American was a new man.
Cocky and arrogant most times in the past, Mayweather, in a nice gray suit that must cost thousands of dollars, was cool, calm and collected.
When he took the microphone, people looked for fireworks, and waited for some harsh words to be thrown the other side.
They got none of it.
Mayweather opened his brief speech by referring to the coming fight as “the fight of the century” and that “it’s about the best fighting the best.”
No, he wasn’t trying to sell the fight because there’s no need to. Even before the fight was sealed and done, it’s already been sold out.
It took five years for Mayweather and Pacquiao to promote the fight, and they did it by keeping the fans longing and hungry for it.
Even when he stood just a couple of feet away from Pacquiao, during a staredown that seemed to last forever, he was cool.
Mayweather didn’t utter harsh words against Pacquiao but still guaranteed a victory and that Pacquiao would be No. 48.
He didn’t go after Bob Arum, his former promoter and with whom he had a bitter falling out years back.
Mayweather said then he’d never do business with Arum again – never. But here he was, just a few feet away from the legendary promoter.