LOS ANGELES ? The bigheaded warrior has metamorphosed into a meek lamb, intriguing both the reporters and diehard boxing fans here.
Does it portend an impending defeat of a pompous American fighter by a self-effacing Pinoy ring gladiator?
In past media events staged to promote his fights, Mayweather used to spew diatribes against his opponents.
Bravado was his hallmark as a boxer.
During last Wednesday?s kick off press conference, however, he was a different man. Mayweather was a tame fighter.
Wise men say the eye is the mirror of one?s soul.
And so, when Mayweather made his grand entrance to the Nokia Theatre, I looked straight into his eyes.
There?s a gnawing fear deep inside him. He was a portrait of a nervous creature.
Maybe, because for the first time in his boxing career he was pitted against a prize fighter who?s not scared of his skills and unbeaten track record.
He is up against a man ? somewhat a super human ? whose achievements in life is nonpareil.
Pacquiao is the world?s only eight-division boxing champion, a congressman and a reservist holding the ranks of lieutenant colonel in the Philippine Army and a Commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard respectively.
He is a lay preacher, singer, former actor, coach/player in a professional basketball league, a holder of an honorary doctorate degree and a second-dan blackbelt in karatedo.
Pacquiao as ever was oozing with charisma, smiling and jesting to a horde of journalists from all over the world who came over to cover the event.
Mayweather was a stark contrast with his strange demeanor.
The two legendary fighters were neither hostile nor cordial to each other. There was no trash talking or shaking of hands from the start until the end of a press conference.
Was it a proverbial calm before the storm?
Nevertheless, the mutual indifference is fueling up the drama of the Pacquiao-Mayweather epic battle come May 2 in Las Vegas.
Mayweather claimed he has never wanted a fight so bad in his life. Just this time?
Would he dare slug it out or seek refuge back to his defensive cocoon once he is pummeled by a barrage of solid punches from the Pinoy boxing superstar?
Reading between the lines as he spoke, he vowed to make the fight exciting. Good!
The fans all over the world are looking forward to a great fight, Floyd?
Photo: WBO Welterweight king Manny Pacquiao while being interviewed by ESPN sports as he enters the red carpet at the Nokia Theatre a few hours before the kick off press conference. Looking on (left) was Justin Fortune, Pacquiao's conditioning coach. Photo by Aquiles Z. Zonio
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