Pacquiao gets speedbag with the face of Mayweather on it (PHOTOS)

Manny Pacquiao hardly needs any added motivation in preparation of his May 2 fight against Floyd Mayweather, but a personalized gift from celebrity lawyer Robert Shapiro has provided some nevertheless.

The Filipino fighter laughed with trainer Freddie Roach on Monday after Shapiro, most known for representing O.J. Simpson in the infamous 1995 trial, gave him a custom-made speedbag with Mayweather's face painted on it.

Sport picture of the day: Manny Pacquiao gets something to aim at http://t.co/4ti6z7KIgZ (Photo: AP) pic.twitter.com/mciXpSxg5L
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) April 14, 2015

Speed is one of the weapons Pacman is expected to utilize against Mayweather when they face each other at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas.

But punching bags don't hit back.

Mayweather-Pacquaio WBC title belt will have new look : Report

The boxing world finally has the high-profile fight it has been waiting for, so it's only fitting it gets a special championship belt to match its record-breaking purse.

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the winner of the long-awaited bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will receive a new belt to highlight the event's importance.

The WBC's official site passed along comments from Sulaiman, who also applauded both fighters for putting their legacies on the line:

"For this special recognition I would like to have emeralds or platinum, but everything will be defined during the next weeks. This is because of the magnitude of the event, which will be broadcast via TV networks globally.

"It came in a good moment and it will be an emotive event. Both are obviously putting their legacy at stake, to prove who's the best, satisfying an enormous created expectance. They are also competing to be considered one of the best 10 fighters in the entire boxing history."

The May 2 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is the most expensive sporting ever promoted — with $250,000 ringside seats — so a new belt to commemorate the historic welterweight encounter seems apropos.

Sulaiman didn’t reveal any details about the new belt but, I'm guessing it'll be real sparkly.

It's on! Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao on May 2

For more than five years fight fans have screamed for a meeting between the two best fighters in the world, and after various failed negotiations and teases — Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to get it on May 2 to unify the fighters' welterweight world titles at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After what seemed like the most intense speculation of any sporting event in history, Pacquiao (57-5-2) and Mayweather (47-0) have finally agreed to put it all on the line in Las Vegas for an estimated purse of $250 million (60/40 in Mayweather’s favor because that was the only way he’d agree to the fight.)

Mayweather made the announcement on Friday afternoon on a social media venue called  “Shots.”, where he wrote:

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal.”

"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did," he added, posting a picture of a signed contract.

       
The May Day Pay Day is a lock to be the richest in boxing history and will, barring a draw, settle the issue that has been debated for years: Who is the No. 1 fighter in boxing?

'The May Day Pay Day' - How the world reacted to the announcement of #MayweatherPacquiao http://t.co/YdjwL0fSkP pic.twitter.com/wEsXSgxcNH
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 21, 2015   

Mayweather and Pacquaio meet up at Miami Heat game

The most awesome thing happened at a Miami Heat game and it had nothing to do with basketball.

After Manny Pacquaio’s flight was canceled due to Winter Storm Juno, he was at the Heat-Bucks game in Miami at the same time Floyd Mayweather showed up. The two fighters met at halftime, and shook hands after a few words and a once over. It was reportedly the first time either boxer had spoken to each other face-to-face although they have been mouthing off to each other via Twitter for what seems like ages.

IN-TALKS Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao talking at center court at the HEAT game. @FloydMayweather @MannyPacquiao https://t.co/ohFm05B5tO
— Bernardo Osuna (@osunaespn) January 28, 2015

According to the Associated Press, the meeting went down like this:

”PACQUIAO SAYS MAYWEATHER GAVE HIM HIS CELL NUMBER AND TOLD HIM IT’S TIME FOR THEM TO WORK THIS FIGHT OUT THEMSELVES. PAC SAYS HE GOT TOLD 1 MINUTE BEFORE HALFTIME THAT FLOYD WAS COMING OVER FOR A CHAT. PACQUIAO SAID HE NEVER SPOKE TO FLOYD IN PERSON BEFORE TONIGHT. THANK WINTER STORM JUNO IF THIS FIGHT EVER HAPPENS. PAC WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TONIGHT — BUT HIS FLIGHT WAS CANCELED.”

Mayweather and Pacquiao sealed the deal. Shook on it. Exchanged phones and typed in each others' numbers. pic.twitter.com/A1Fv18xQXj
— Grant Smith (@StrategySmith) January 28, 2015

It all raises the possibility of the two getting together to fight in what would likely be the highest grossing pay-per-view event in television history. Although they still don’t have a fight date maybe last night's personal touch will speed things up.

Asked to clarify if the exchange meant the two fighters would negotiate directly about meeting in the ring, Pacquiao said that was the case.

Mayweather did not respond to questions. “Not now,” one of his security guards said, as Mayweather punched in the digits.

Hopefully it wasn't another snow job.

So @FloydMayweather just walked over and spoke to @MannyPacquiao ... I'm told it was "a very good conversation."
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 28, 2015

Mayweather calls out Pacquiao for May 2 fight in Las Vegas (VIDEO)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has finally said the words boxing fans have been demanding and named May 2 as the date for a long-awaited fight with Manny Pacquiao.

The richest fight in boxing history is now the closest ever to becoming reality.

The super-fight had been highly speculated after Pacquiao's impressive 12-round unanimous decision over Chris Algieri in Macau two weeks ago. Now that both fighters have called each other out, hopefully the welterweights will answer the bell.

Mayweather was videotaped naming the date after he was pressed by a reporter at one of his promotion companies' events.

"Will I fight Pacquiao? Absolutely," the holder of the mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world said.

When asked if it would be his next fight he replied, "Absolutely."

As to when the world can expect the $300 million fight, Money said, "May 2, absolutely."

"The public wants this fight. I want it. the only stumbling block has been Bob Arum (Pacquiao's promoter), " he added.  "But I think both fighters want it. So it's time to get it on."

Mayweather admitted for the first time that negotiations are underway "behind the scenes." 

"I'm not ducking anyone, so let's get this on."

Mayweather still blamed Pacquiao for the fight setbacks.

"Years ago we had problems with random blood and urine testing. I just want to have an even playing field.

"Now he's in a very, very tight situation with his loss to (Juan Manuel) Marquez and his loss to (Timothy) Bradley. His pay-per-view numbers are extremely low, so he's desperate. I wanted that fight a long time ago."

So has the boxing world.