Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Fists not faith will decide fight, says Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather says his super fight against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2 will be decided by the rivals' fists and not divine intervention.

Born-again Christian Pacquiao has drawn on his faith in the build-up to the showdown between boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters, stating "I believe God will deliver him to my hands".

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has branded the clash a battle of "good versus evil", but Mayweather, who has embraced the role of villain for the majority of his flawless 47-fight career, highlights his own faith to counter his rival’s belief that God is present in his corner.

"God loves us all. I'm a fighter. I'm a professional prizefighter, that's what I do. I believe in God, I love God. I've been blessed all my life. I don't think God takes sides," Mayweather said.

"Whether you're American, Filipino, African, Dominican, Asian, we're all God's children. I don't think he roots for which of us he wants to win.

"People are going to root for who they want to root for, it's plain and simple. I'm pretty sure I have Filipino fans who like me and I'm pretty sure there are black American fans who like Pacquiao.

"I never try to focus on anything like that. I just try to focus on the best fighting the best."

Mayweather will put his unblemished record on the line against Pacquiao in a fight which is expected to break box office records and has been five years in the making.

The 38-year-old, however, remains relaxed and claims it is just another fight.

"My team is grounded, I'm not really going crazy. It's just a fight to me. I know it's the biggest fight in boxing history, but I can't approach it like that," Mayweather said.

"I can't put any unnecessary pressure on me. My thing is to just be Floyd Mayweather. This one is a little over the top. I just try to stay relaxed.

Whether you're American, Filipino, African, Dominican, Asian, we're all God's children. I don't think he roots for which of us he wants to win.

"People ask how this fight is going to be fought. I can't say. I'm no psychic. I can't predict the future. But like I've said before, I'm going to be at my best on May 2. My gameplan is to win."

Mayweather is odds-on favourite but he refuses to underestimate an opponent who strung together three successive wins since losing to Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.

"He got to this point by doing something right. It's obvious. I have to respect that," Mayweather said. "I want to give the people what they want to see and that's the best facing the best.

"He's one of the last good fighters of this era, so this is a fight that had to happen and I'm glad the fight is happening. Give them what they want to see - the best facing the best."

Book Mayweather v Pacquiao, Sky Sports Box Office, May 2, via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote from April 25. skysports.com/maypac