The psych games began in earnest after all the self-congratulatory backslapping and logrolling finally finished. Thank you, HBO, no thank you, Showtime, no thank you, yada, yada, yada.
Mayweather went to his usual verbal needle, the oft-repeated statistic that he’s never lost in 47 pro bouts. His clear implication was that Pacman, with five losses on his 57-5-2 resume, is “a loser” for not having an unblemished record.
“When you lose,” Mayweather told SHO interviewer Brian Custer, “it is in your mind. You lose, you lose twice, it is in your mind.”
But the harshest, boldest and most salient statement of the day came when, in speaking to Kieran Mulvaney of HBO, Pacquiao dismissed the 47-0, shoulder and hip rolling Mayweather’s nonpareil defensive skills.
“He has a good defense,” Pacquiao said intently. “But I can easily break that defense.”
Have you ever heard any of Mayweather’s victims mock his masterful defensive talent so openly? I never have and I don’t think anyone has.
Of course, breaking through Mayweather’s guard and doing damage is much easier said than done.
It’s not even a slight surprise that the afternoon’s most strident, forceful words came from the loose lips of Pacman’s illustrious trainer, Coach Freddie Roach.
As could be expected, Roach promised that “we’re gonna kick his ass” when he was briefly at the podium. The seven time Boxing Writers Association Trainer of the Year then closed with a “thank you” to Mayweather.
At least Coach Roach got to speak as Floyd Mayweather Sr., his son’s trainer was not even beckoned to the microphone. So Floyd Sr. did not get to reply directly to Pacman’s tutor, who Senior mocking refers to as “Joke Coach” Roach.
Mayweather, always eager to polish his super ego, took the most credit for making the fight happen after five agonizing years of worldwide fan desire to see it.
“We needed an opponent for May 2,” Mayweather said. “We looked at opponents and we chose Manny Pacquiao…I know what I bring to the table, I’m the Face of Boxing.”
Uncle Bob Arum was in his typical, unpredictable free form. Arum threw bouquets to HBO, crediting the cable network for building Pacman’s positive public image but the octogenarian visibly chafed when Mayweather aide Leonard Ellerbe and Showtime exec Stephen Espinoza rambled on with assertions that Mayweather and Showtime are paramount in the world of televised boxing.
“Well, Stephen,” Arum snapped, “everyone’s got their own opinions.”
That cutting riposte brought Mayweather to life at his seat. “Money” chuckled at the obvious tension, leading Arum to land the funny line of the day.
“You missed me, right Floyd?” Arum said, beaming at his former Top Rank superstar.
As thick as Ellerbe and Espinoza laid it on for SHO and Mayweather, Arum was not to be outdone in another category.
Arum went into a mini-history about the Filipino people, mentioning their “graciousness and kindness” and how so many Pinay women are nurses. He invoked how U.S. troops and Filipinos fought side by side against Japan in World War II and, naturally, invoked Gen. MacArthur’s hallowed name.
Arum’s riff brought back memories of Professor Irwin Corey (ask your grandparents.)
Military and political history and proficient nurses aside, all that will matter in the MGM Grand Garden Arena ring come May 2 is whether one Filipino can manage to pierce Mayweather’s majestic defense.
If it is, Mayweather will slide to 47-1. Pacquiao will have to do more than bend it, he will have to break it.
It may get done but it won’t be accomplished easily.
He talked toughest so I gave this round to Pacquiao.
Look for Mayweather to quickly step up his jawbone activity.
Pump up the volume.
