"We already have $10 million at the live gate, which clearly indicates how hot this fight is. As a result, we've opened up 18,000 closed circuit seats in various locations in Las Vegas. Ticket sales are going very well. We have a very limited amount of tickets left. It's a very hot fight and the fans are truly excited to see Floyd and Shane go at it on the 1st of May. This is the most heavily promoted fight in the history of the sport and we're expecting record breaking pay-per-view numbers...This is the best I've ever seen Floyd look in his entire career. Shane Mosley is getting stopped on the 1st of May," stated Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, as he talked about the highly-anticipated May 1st showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley. With less than 9 days to go, the mega-fight is definitely living up to the expectations of being the biggest event in 2010. Check it out!
PC: I wanted to ask you about the drug testing that both Floyd and Shane are subjecting themselves to. How often has Floyd been tested and has it affected him in any way during this camp?
LE: Floyd has been tested several times for both urine and blood and it hasn't impeded with his training whatsoever. For example, he had blood drawn one day last week and the very next day, he boxed 13 hard rounds, so it hasn't been a problem at all.
PC: What is the amount of blood taken during these visits from USADA?
LE: It is the equivalent to a tablespoon of blood.
PC: Have there been any 2 AM or 4 AM visits or are you guys pleased with the timeframes in which they have shown up to take blood or urine to this point?
LE: Up until this point, it has been very random, but at reasonable times. USADA Has done a phenomenal job thus far and they are the gold standard for this type of test. I think it's great for boxing.
PC: How are ticket sales going for this fight? What type of crowd are you guys expecting?
LE: We already have $10 million at the live gate, which clearly indicates how hot this fight is. As a result, we've opened up 18,000 closed circuit seats in various locations in Las Vegas. Ticket sales are going very well. We have a very limited amount of tickets left. It's a very hot fight and the fans are truly excited to see Floyd and Shane go at it on the 1st of May. This is the most heavily promoted fight in the history of the sport and we're expecting record breaking pay-per-view numbers for this mega-mega-fight. Every Hollywood A-lister, NBA, NFL and MLB star has been calling about tickets to attend this event. Everyone is talking about this fight across the country, whether it is in hair salons, barbershops or just the casual fan on the street. The polls are indicating that the fans are split down the middle in their votes, which translates into a super fight. We are truly excited to be a part of history.
PC: The general perception is that Shane is going to knock Floyd out or Floyd is going to win a decision. How do you see this fight going?
LE: This is the best I've ever seen Floyd look in his entire career. Shane Mosley is getting stopped on the 1st of May!
PC: Team Mayweather has been adamant that every opponent that steps inside of the ring with Floyd will undergo the USADA testing. Is their any stipulation that will make you guys forego the testing?
LE: Like I said before, any opponent that Floyd Mayweather faces will be randomly tested through blood and urine. Shane Mosley stepped up to the plate and agreed to it. Shane Mosley wants to prove to the world that he is a clean athlete now.
PC: Mosley held a conference call the other day and said he's going to be the first to defeat Floyd and possibly stop him. What do you think of those comments?
LE: Well, Shane should be coming out to make a statement because Floyd is definitely going to come out and make a statement. On May 1st, the fans are going to be the beneficiary of a great fight. Shane thinks he's the best fighter out there and Floyd knows he's the best fighter and come May 1st, the fans will be the judge of that and they will also be the beneficiary of a great fight.
PC: We are less than 9 days away from the fight. What does Floyd do from here until fight time?
LE: He will continue to work hard and be prepared to go out there and put on a performance of a lifetime. He's prepared to show Shane Mosley and the rest of the world why he's been the best fighter over the last decade; hands down the best fighter over the last decade.
PC: A lot of people think Naazim Richardson is the X factor in this fight. What do you think of Naazim as a trainer and what will his affect be on this fight?
LE: Naazim is a very good trainer, but Floyd isn't fighting Naazim. Naazim will have Shane very prepared, but Shane is going to be facing a fighter that he has never seen anything like before. Shane Mosley will be clueless when he's in there with Floyd.
PC: Do you feel Mosley is Floyd's toughest test to date?
LE: I guess we will all find out on May 1st.
PC: As I said before, I know you guys aren't overlooking Shane, but can we possibly see Floyd in the ring more than once this year?
LE: Floyd's sole focus is on Shane Mosley and going out there and proving why he's the best fighter in the world. We're not looking one day past Shane Mosley.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]