Mayweather v Pacquiao press conference 'once in a lifetime event'
Organised chaos as media from around the world takes over
Thursday 23 April 2015 11:08, UK
Johnny Nelson was at the media press conference in Los Angeles and we got an immediate reaction as soon as he walked back down the red carpet...
I have never seen anything like that in my life, I really haven't!
I have never experienced such organised chaos in Los Angeles. The closest thing it came to was Micahel Jackson coming over to the UK to perform, it really was something special.
I've just got back from the press conference and I am still buzzing but I honestly think this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
We are talking about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and although it was a media press conference, there was loads of fight fans, famous people and what amazed me was just the general public, who knew something special was on.
I've just got back from the press conference and I am still buzzing but I honestly think this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The amount of press there was unreal. I have never – and I mean never – seen anything like that in my life. Getting to the red carpet was one thing but the press are supposed to be the cool, calm, calculating ones who stand there picking holes in people. Well, this time they were all over the place. They were as excited as I was!
There was press from all over the world. From Australia, from New Zealand, all over the place – and that was outside. We were we were halfway down the red carpet, then Freddie Roach came over, Manny came over, then Floyd came over.
It really was like being in a sweet shop. This is going to be a big deal.
But for all the publicity and media chaos and what you all saw on stage there is one word that is key: secrecy. We went down to Mayweather's gym earlier on and we were allowed in, but not to film. Anything.
We have been in the Wild Card and Manny and Freddie have only started training this week and as friendly as those two are, we could not film.
But I don't do secrets, so they put me on the spot...
Who has the most support?
Floyd Mayweather. Without doubt. This is his patch. Pacquiao had a small pocket of fans there but this was on Mayweather's domain. They were all over him and it was all about him.
Who won the mind games?
Nobody. You couldn't split it. Nothing was really said or insinuated. Both tried to be cool, calm, humble and gracious, so no one had the upper-hand.
Did the face-off disappoint you?
Not at all because those two don't need to do all that. Usually the guy giving it large is trying to gain an edge, whereas these two are the best. Neither has to prove anything.
Who seemed the most relaxed?
Manny Pacquiao. They were both cool on the red carpet but up on stage Mayweather tried to put on a mask, an emotional one. Manny didn't. He didn't even say much to him. He was the coolest, I think.
Who bought the biggest entourage?
Floyd brought about 30 with him! There were some big old guys there and I was thinking, 'what does he think he needs them for?' Manny had his people with him, but nothing like Floyd's. This is Floyd's show.
What about the trainers?
I think it was calculated that we never heard from Floyd Snr. He stood up and they made him sit down again, so maybe they think he is a loose cannon. As for Freddie, you always know what you will get. Honesty and openness.
Sum the press conference up...
We're looking at a couple of boxing gods. I know it sounds extreme but I am not sure we weren't. It was something very, very special.
Is this definitely going to be the last time we see them together until fight week?
Yes... I think! It's only seven-and-a-half weeks until fight night so any media work again will be to the detriment of both fighters. There is far too much at stake.
