梅威瑟 & Manny Pacquiao Square Off
In Another Classic Showdown

In The Welterweight Division

LAS VEGAS (四月 20, 2015) — It has often been said that “as the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing,” but that has not always been the case and, 事實上, might not even be valid when viewed from a comprehensive perspective dating back to the late 19^日 century. 在 拳擊, German author Bertram Job’s epic, 420-page coffee-table dissertation on all aspects of the sweet science, he writes that, “Elegance is the trademark of the slim and nimble stars in the under 147-pound weight class that has attracted insiders and admirers of beauty like no other.”

 

And so it is with what will be another benchmark entry in the rich history of the division when, 上五月 2 在米高梅大酒店在拉斯維加斯, 按次付費直播, 次中量級冠軍 弗洛伊德 “錢” 梅威瑟 (47-0, 26 科斯) takes on fellow titlist 曼尼 “吃豆子” 帕奎奧(57-5-2, 38 科斯) in a long-anticipated unification showdown that will be the richest prizefight in the sport’s history, and which has drawn comparisons to some of the premier matchups in a weight class imprinted with that elegant trademark to which Job referred.

 

Although Pacquiao, the only fighter ever to win world championships in eight weight classes, and Mayweather, who has reigned in five weight classes, have not campaigned solely or even mostly as welterweights, it is hardly a surprise that the most important intersection of their remarkable careers comes in the same division for which so many of boxing’s greatest legends are primarily known.

 

該 “gold standard” to which all welterweights aspire remains the late, great Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith Jr., the skinny kid who had never fought in a sanctioned bout at any level was a tag-along with coach George Gainford to an amateur tournament in Kingston, 紐約州. Asked if he had a flyweight he wished to enter, Gainford was about to say no when Smith tugged on his sleeve and said, “I’ll fight.” As it turned out, Gainford had an AAU card – you needed one to be certified as a non-professional – in the name of Ray Robinson, one of his boxers who had given up the sport. Smith/Robinson won a four-round decision, 和, although no one knew it then, thus was a legend born.

 

Robinson was 85-0 as an amateur before turning pro at 19 在 1940. 由 1951, 他是 128-1-2 同 84 knockout victories. Although he is also remembered for winning the middleweight title five times, Robinson never lost as a welterweight, winning so often and so emphatically that the legendary trainer, 埃迪Futch, was moved to observe that, “He had everything. Boxing skills, 沖切力, a great chin, 精神力量. There was nothing he couldn’t do.”

 

Robinson also had an outsized ego, which perhaps is a necessary component to any great fighter’s mental makeup. Even a trace of doubt in one’s own ability is not conducive to success in the ring. Once, when asked about his “golf game,” 穆罕默德·阿里, who didn’t play golf, responded, “I’m the best, greatest of ’em all. I just haven’t played yet.”

 

Mayweather certainly brings that aura of invincibility to his work, and maybe not just because he has yet to lose as a professional. 在 2013, 他說, “Of course I feel unbeatable. I’m the best. I’m not going into any fight figuring that I’m beatable. I want to make a legacy for myself as the greatest fighter who ever entered the ring.”

 

帕奎奧, while perhaps not as verbose, is no less secure in his own belief system. It is those heaping measures of talent and swagger that make Mayweather vs. Pacquiao a must-see event. Which of these outstanding fighters can make the other bend to his will? Who will have his name written in larger print in the big book of welterweights?

 

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has inducted 23 fighters who were, at one time or another, welterweight champions. In addition to Robinson, those whose plaques grace the hallowed hall include Sugar Ray Leonard, 羅伯托·杜蘭, 托馬斯·赫恩斯, 霍亞, 費利克斯·特立尼達, 塞薩爾查韋斯, Pernell惠特克, 卡門巴西利奧, Henry Armstrong, 埃米爾·格里菲斯, Pipino Cuevas, 何塞Napoles, Curtis Cokes, Barney Ross, 兒童加維蘭, Wilfred Benitez, 路易斯·羅德里格斯·, 米奇·沃克, Fritzie Zivic, 傑克·布里頓, Jackie Fields, Ted “小子” Lewis and “Mysterious” Billy Smith. Mayweather and Pacquiao are of course assured of joining their ranks as soon as they become eligible to go onto the ballot.

 

The lead-up to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has generated no shortage of comparisons to past welterweight clashes that are notable for the classic nature of those bouts, the widespread public interest attendant to them, 或兩者.

 

Is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao more likely to be a repeat of, 說, Leonard-Duran I, which Duran won on a rousing unanimous decision on June 25, 1980, 在蒙特利爾? The epic Leonard-Hearns I, 在9月. 16, 1981, which saw Leonard, trailing on the scorecards, rally for a dramatic, 14^日-round TKO at Caesars Palace? Trinidad’s controversial majority decision over De La Hoya in their Sept. 18, 1999, unification showdown at the Mandalay Bay? Or will it make its own mark in such a distinctive way that no comparisons can or should be drawn?

 

When it comes to unforgettable welterweight bouts, by now it should be obvious that anything and everything is possible. Mayweather and Pacquiao will make history, and add to it, by attempting to bend destiny each to their own purpose.

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梅威瑟VS. 帕奎奧 在12輪次中量級世界冠軍統一回合促進梅威瑟促銷和熱門排名公司, 並且由咖提贊助. 付費按次轉播將共同生產和共同分配由HBO付費按次^® 和Showtime PPV^® 在開始 9 P.M. AND/ 6 P.M. PT.

 

欲了解更多信息，請訪問 www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports, www.hbo.com/boxingand 萬維網.mgmgrand.com 並按照在Twitter上@floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing和@Swanson_Comm, 成為Facebook上的粉絲在 www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.COM / TopRankMannyPacquiao 萬維網.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, 萬維網.facebook.com/SHOsports 和www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Quotables From Notables

帕奎奧, Freddie Roach and Bob Arum

16 Days Before The Fight of the Century

星期六, MAY 2, 在米高梅大花園球館在拉斯維加斯

住在PAY-PER-VIEW

點擊 這裡 For Pacquiao Media Day Replay Link

點擊 這裡 For Pacquiao Media Day Video Highlights

點擊 這裡 For Mayweather Media Day Video Highlights

點擊 這裡 對於照片從以斯帖林/ SHOWTIME

點擊 這裡 對於照片由克里斯·法里納/熱門排名

點擊 這裡 For Mayweather Photos From 週二 Workout

信貸: 以斯帖林/ SHOWTIME

好萊塢, CALIF. (四月 16, 2015) – It was Manny Media Mania at 週三 media workout for Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion and boxing superhero Congressman MANNY “吃豆子” 帕奎奧. 帕奎奧 (57-5-2, 38 科斯), who represents the Sarangani province in the Philippines, hosted a Hollywood Media Workout with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Hall of Promoter Bob Arum.

 

過度 300 media from around the globe flocked to Wild Card Boxing Club to ask the trio about Pacquiao’s 五月 2 welterweight world championship unification battle against undefeatedFLOYD “錢” MAYWEATHER JR. (47-0, 26 科斯), 在米高梅大花園球館在拉斯維加斯.

 

梅威瑟VS. Pacquiao is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., 現場付費按次轉播將共同生產和共同分配由HBO付費按次^® 和Showtime PPV^® 在開始 9:00 P.M. AND/ 6:00 P.M. PT.

 

What Pacquiao, Top Rank CEO 阿魯姆 and Hall of Fame trainer 羅奇 說星期三:

 

帕奎奧, Eight-Division World Champion

 

“I feel very excited for the fight.

 

“I have a lot of sparring partners that are similar to Floyd’s fighting style, we have done well. We know what to expect.

 

“I have watched tape on Floyd to make sure that our strategy and technique in training camp is correct.

 

“My entire career defines my legacy; I have already accomplished great achievements in my career while excelling in different weight divisions. This fight is an additional achievement in my career; it’s the biggest fight in boxing history.

 

“I can say that beating Floyd would be the biggest victory of my career.

 

“More people are interested and informed about this fight now than they would’ve been five years ago.

 

“Style wise, I am the same fighter I was five years ago. My determination, inspiration and killer instinct is the exact same as it was five or six years ago.

 

“對我來說, boxing is my passion. I enjoy boxing and giving honor to my country of the Philippines. My concern is to bring an exciting fight to my fans. My first concern going into every fight is how will be to be able to entertain my fans, give them enjoyment and make them happy.

 

“The reason I am so loved by fans is because of my reckless style of fighting. People like exciting fights with actual punches being thrown.”

 

鮑勃·阿魯姆, Top Rank CEO

 

“Manny is motivated, he’s ready for the fight. I expect a great performance from him.

 

“It’s a very interesting fight because Floyd is a defensive specialist who has a good right hand and picks off his opponents. He’s an extraordinarily good fighter.

 

“Pacquiao’s strength is speed, particularly his foot speed and the fact that he throws so many punches and attacks from low angles. He really hits harder than Floyd does, so that’s really what it’s going to be about.

 

“Floyd has a different defense than 馬奎茲. His defense is primarily his shoulder roll. A lot of his defense is geared against a right handed fighter. 隨著中說, I think Manny is going to surprise a lot of people with how he is going to be able to reach Floyd.

 

“I would say Manny is more motivated for this fight than any other fight I’ve seen him prepare for.

 

“I’m looking forward to 五月 2. I love Manny’s chances of winning, that’s the main thing. He looks great, he’s motivated, no nonsense, and I think he’s going to put on a performance for the ages. It’s going to be hard for him to top his performance against Oscar De La Hoya, but I think he will in this fight.”

羅奇, Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame Trainer

 

“We have a great idea of when and where we are going to attack Mayweather.

 

“This fight was five years in the making. Promoters should realize that these types of fights are what’s best for boxing and we should have more fights like this. I’m not surprised by the hype surrounding the fight.

 

“Manny has really raised the bar in this training camp. He’s a different Manny Pacquiao than I have seen him going into previous training camps. He is punching so much harder in training for this camp.

 

“Manny is better than ever, his attitude is different and I’ve never seen him work this hard. His speed is faster, his punches are harder. I’m really happy where he’s at. His legs look great; he’s on his toes all the time.

 

“Mayweather is a good counter-puncher, but Manny has faster hands and his combinations are better than Floyd’s.

 

“Both fighters have great experience, so I don’t believe that will be a factor in the fight. The biggest thing is that each fighter comes in with a different style. Floyd is a counter-puncher but Manny must be the one to enforce the fight.

 

“I believe that Manny being a southpaw will be a factor in this fight. Manny showed me tape of Floyd fighting a southpaw and told me that that is exactly what we are going to do in this fight.

 

“I can tell how much this fight means to Manny because he has watched tape on Floyd. Manny has never watched tape on any fighter before.

 

“Since Manny moved to 147 he hasn’t knocked many guys out, so getting the knockout in this fight isn’t a concern for me. If Manny fights at 140, then he does knock guys out, but at this weight he is fighting guys who are bigger than him.

 

“Floyd may be a bigger guy, but we will still win the fight.

 

“This fight is much bigger than when Manny fought 霍亞. Manny is a different person going into this fight. He hit me so hard the other day that I believe it’s the hardest I’ve ever been hit by a fighter who I’m training.

 

“I don’t believe that Floyd ever wanted this fight, he was forced to take it by the public and the media. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd pulled out now.”

 

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欲了解更多信息，請訪問 www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.COM /拳 和 www.mgmgrand.com 並按照在Twitter上@floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing和@Swanson_Comm, 成為Facebook上的粉絲 atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsportsandwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.