When Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao step into the ring on Saturday night, they’ll be fighting for legacy, pride, nearly $100 million and a specially made WBC “Emerald Belt” that is worth nearly $1 million.
The belt is specially designed for this fight and features 3,000 miniature emeralds. Everything about this fight so far has been about money, and so it’s no surprise that the special belt would be so flashy and expensive.
The emerald-studded WBC belt was finally presented on April 21 at a WBC event in Mexico. The belt was commissioned by the WBC as soon as the big fight between the two champs was announced. The belt features 3,000 real miniature emeralds and valued at $1 million. It will be transported to Las Vegas before the end of month by a private security team.
During the press conference at Foro Mazaryk in Mexico City on April 21, the emerald belt was introduced to hundreds of journalists. In attendance were Larry Holmes, who represented former WBC champions, and Adonis Stevenson, who represented current WBC champions.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said,”The WBC displayed over six generations of championship belts today, and presented the unique Emerald Belt. We are very happy, because everybody in the industry worked together to make this fight happen – the television networks, the promoters, the managers, and especially the boxers. We had at the press conference, together on the same stage, Televisa and Azteca for the first time ever. Both will show the fight in Mexico on May 2nd.”
“This belt has more than 3,000 emeralds, it’s beautiful and it’s absolutely priceless!” Sulaiman added.
The presentation of the Emerald Belt features a new achievement in the sport of boxing. According to Sulaiman, Holmes was selected to formally present the belt because he is one of the greatest champions that the sport ever had, having been a heavyweight champion for seven and a half years.
World Liberty TV, Boxing Team was on hand to witness the debut of the WBC Emerald Belt valued over 1 million dollars to be given to the winner of Floyd “Money” Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao Mega fight.
“A lot of great champions come from Puerto Rico,” said Mayweather. “You guys have got another great champion in Miguel Cotto, tough, strong, solid 154-pounder.”
“I’m not looking to cheat, like I said before. My thing is this, I told Miguel Cotto: ‘I don’t want to fight you at a catchweight, I want to fight the best Miguel Cotto,” he continued.
Mayweather went on to say, “To be the best you’ve got to beat the best and he’s one of the best fighters out there today. I want to finish putting the rest of the pieces to the puzzle, so I can solidify myself as one of the best fighters to ever live.”
‘We appreciate the fans for supporting us, but when it comes down to it, it’s one-on-one. The trainer can’t fight for the fighters. Pacquiao’s an amazing fighter. But all I got to say is if you’ve got nothing to hide take the test.”
“At the age of 35, I’m still going strong, I’m still hungry, and I still want to give you fans nothing but excitement. I want you guys to tune in May 5, support Floyd Mayweather, support Miguel Cotto, because we’re going to give you guys a toe-to-toe battle,” Mayweather finished.
