Mayweather: The time is right for the Pacquiao fight

MANILA, Philippines – After six years of up-and-down negotiations, what will be one of the biggest fights in boxing history has been finalized: Floyd Mayeather Jr. will take on Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2.

Negotiations for the fight started in 2009, but roadblocks constantly got in the way: agreeing on random drug-testing, the date and venue of the fight, who gets TV rights, and the split of the purse, among others. 

Although it took a long time for the duel to come to fruition, Mayweather says he never had a doubt that he would meet the Filipino boxer in the ring. He also said that the timing of the fight is finally right, even if many believe the two should have sparred as early as 2010.

“I know eventually it would happen, but everything takes time,” Mayweather told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole. “Everything in life is about timing. I have a good team and I waited until the time was right. He waited until the time was right, and the two teams came together and we made the fight happen.” 

(RELATED: Pacquiao, Mayweather will finally give the fans what they want)

Mayweather says that him and Pacquiao both being bigger “status-wise” contributed largely to the fight finally materializing. 

“I think the timing is right now because I’m a lot bigger status-wise than I was. Status-wise, I’m still growing, but I’m bigger than I was. And I’m pretty sure that Manny Pacquiao, he is bigger too. I have a lot of fans and he has a lot of fans and the fans around the world have been anticipating the fight for a long time.” 

“I can’t tell you if he’s my greatest challenge, to be honest with you, because I haven’t fought him before,” Mayweather said about Pacquiao. “He’s a solid guy, a very good fighter, no question a tough competitor. He wouldn’t be where he’s at if he weren’t, and that’s what makes this such an interesting matchup.” 

Las Vegas sports books have Mayweather, who’s unbeaten in 47 fights, as a 2 and a half-to-1 favorite over Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts), who is coming off three straight victories.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix is reporting that Pacquiao will be allowed to wear his traditional 8-ounce Reyes gloves while Mayweather will wear his 8-ounce Grant gloves.

The broadcast team will consist of HBO’s Jim Lampley and Roy Jones Jr. being joined by Showtime’s Al Bernstein. Showtime’s Jim Gray and HBO’s Max Kellerman will split reporting duties.

Mayweather also complimented Pacquiao for bouncing back after suffering a sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. 

“A true champion knows how to take a loss and bounce back and overcome, and that’s what Pacquiao has done,” Mayweather said. “I give him full credit for that. He deserves it. He’s come back and gotten some solid victories,” Mayweather said. 

“He has his supporters, who I’m pretty sure believe he’s going to beat me, and I have my supporters, who I know believe I’m going to beat him,” added the 37-year-old champion. 

“Let’s get in the ring and see who wins, who the better man is. That’s what boxing is all about, and we’re going to give the fans the chance to find out on May 2.” 

– Rappler.com