LAS VEGAS, USA – Undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr knows just how serious Saturday’s fight (Sunday, May 3, Philippine time) against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao is. And his face shows it.

A day before the much anticipated mega fight, Mayweather explained why he did not return Pacquiao’s friendly smile on stage at the weigh-in.

At the stare down after both fighters tipped the scales – Pacquiao at 145 pounds, Mayweather a pound heavier – Pacquiao wore a friendly smile on his face, a grin Mayweather did not respond to. Pacquiao also said “thank you” to Mayweather, but Mayweather did not reply.

Instead, the Michigan native kept a serious expression throughout and turned away from Pacquiao after the staredown. Pacquiao kept his ready smile, and raised his arms to greet a cheering crowd.

After the weigh in, Mayweather explained why he refused to acknowledge either of Pacquiao’s gestures. 

“I didn’t smile at him. I didn’t smile at all. This is boxing. This is serious to me. This sport secured my future. I’ve done this my whole life and I’m ready to fight,” he said.

Biggest fight in boxing history

Mayweather however did wear a huge smile as he walked through the arena after the weigh-in, responding to fans, even signing their gloves and posters. 

Asked what he expected of fight night, Mayweather did not give a prediction but vowed to perform his best.

“I don’t know, you can say anything today and be a totally different fighter tomorrow. My thing is to go out there tomorrow and be first,” he said.

Despite his serious demeanor towards Pacquiao however, he did compliment the Filipino boxer when asked what he saw in Pacquiao’s eyes during the staredown.

“He’s a fighter. He got here somehow, someway,” he said.

Mayweather added, “It’s a very, very huge fight, I never dreamed I would be in the biggest fight in boxing history. It’s a blessing.”

While Mayweather walked with his usual confidence – not flinching even when the pro-Pacquiao crowd booed him – he has avoided trash talking this time around, a shift from past fights where in he dissed his opponents and heckled them often.

In a separate interview, Mayweather explained that he has not trash talked Pacquiao because the mega fight did not need selling and could sell itself, adding he is more mature now and has grown in different ways.

The mega fight is expected to be the most lucrative in boxing history, and is expected to decide who the best pound for pound fighter is today. – Rappler.com