LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao’s first public appearance exposed him to thousands but kept him sequestered from Floyd Mayweather.
Pacquiao entertained a pep rally then questions from the media at Mandalay Bay, where he stays when he fights here, rather than participate in the traditional grand arrival ceremony at MGM Grand, the fight site.
“I think this is the moment, I believe, that Mayweather explains a loss,” Pacquiao said.
Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) and Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) face off in a highly anticipated 12-round welterweight unification Saturday night.
Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao, said it was better for his fighter to do an opening ceremony at a different venue than Mayweather.
The decision was partly attributable to Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, having an ongoing dispute with Richard Sturm, MGM Grand Entertainment president.
But part of it was the team’s desire to stay away from Mayweather, too.
“Floyd’s doing his thing, we’re doing ours,” Roach said. “We’re at this hotel, we’re very comfortable here, this is peaceful, no drama. I think this is better for us, yes.”
Pacquiao is contractually committed to attend only three functions before the fight — the kickoff press conference last month in Los Angeles, Wednesday’s final press conference at MGM Grand, and Friday’s weigh-in at MGM.
He said the fight has evolved into the boxing world vs. Mayweather.
“At this point, it’s not personal for him. But it’s personal for boxing fans,” he said. We have to prove something to the fans. So it’s personal for us.”
Pacquiao arrived Monday evening after traveling in an I-15 caravan from Los Angeles, where trained for the fight.
Roach said his fighter has trained at a heightened intensity.
“From the first day, when the fight was announced, his level just came up so much higher than ever,” Roach said. “He worked really, really hard for this fight, as hard as I’ve ever seen him. He is very motivated for this fight, at a level I see every day.”
Pacquiao is roughly a 2-1 underog.
“I have to prove something,” he said. “Every time I’m an underdog, I like that, because my killer instinct, my focus are there. This is what I want.”
It was pointed out that Mayweather is selling fight gear with his likeness on it, against a background of Philippines flags.
“That’s good,” Pacquiao said. “I like that, because he wants to join our team — TMT, ‘The Manny Team.'”
Odds aside, there is no question to combatants understand the stakes for the most anticipated fight in decades.
“This is one of the most important fights, one of the biggest in my boxing legacy,” Pacquiao said. “I want to make this fight a good result for my boxing legacy. I want to win. That’s my goal.”
