Boxing fans have a new date to mark on their calendars: March 11. That is when the only press conference featuring both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will be held before the week of the fight.
Boxers involved in pay-per-view fights often stage several media events, in multiple cities, in order to drum up interest. But that won’t be necessary for this one, given that fans have been waiting years for it to happen and are expected to make it the most lucrative boxing event in history.
The press conference for Mayweather-Pacquiao, whose fight is scheduled for May 2, will be held at an as-yet undisclosed location in Los Angeles, but don’t make plans to show up. Only media members will be invited, and even then, they must apply for credentials, which is not standard practice in a sport that often longs for greater attention.
Some news-making theatrics, whether staged or not, often are standard practice for these sorts of press conferences, and this one could provide its share. Mayweather figures to say at least a few fairly uncomplimentary things about his opponent, and Pacquiao might just give reporters a preview of the song he recorded for his pre-fight entrance music.
The March 11 press conference will constitute just the second time the two superstars have ever met face-to-face, depending on how one quantifies the events of Jan. 27. On that night, Mayweather and Pacquiao had a brief chat during a Heat game in Miami, and then they reconvened later at the Filipino’s hotel room, engaging in a discussion that they both described as a breakthrough in their negotiations.
Pacquiao recently arrived in Los Angeles to continue his training for the fight. Mayweather is making his preparations at his own gym in Las Vegas, the city where the fight will be held.