Las Vegas - Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao weighed in for what has been labelled the "Fight of the Century" on Friday, promising to deliver on the massive hype and give fans the excitement they deserve.

What had been a subdued build-up to the most anticipated fight in decades exploded to life when Pacquiao and then Mayweather entered the MGM Grand Garden Arena to hip hop music and deafening cheers from a seething crowd of 11,500, some of whom had waited three hours for a glimpse of the two boxers.

Pacquiao, 57-5-2 (38 knockouts), looking relaxed and confident, weighed in one pound lighter than the undefeated Mayweather 47-0 (26 KOs), tipping the scales at 145 pounds (65.7kg) for today's (this morning Singapore time) bout.

Their meeting is expected to be the biggest grossing prize fight of all-time.

"This is truly a remarkable event, the turnout for the weigh-in is unbelievable," Mayweather said.

"I am in top shape and am the best Floyd Mayweather I can possibly be. My mindset is to be smart in the fight, I don't know what Manny Pacquiao will do but I am ready to fight. Come Saturday, we will do what we do best - fight.

"I truly believe that I will be victorious. I hope the fight meets the hype. All we can do as fighters is go out there and perform and do what we do best."

Normally free and open to the public, the weigh-in broke from tradition, charging US$10 (S$13) to watch Mayweather and Pacquiao step onto the scales, in a move designed to maintain crowd control.

All money raised through ticket sales went to charity but many of the tickets found their way onto the resale market, with some commanding US$500.

A smiling Pacquiao, dressed in a bright red track suit, waved and raised his fists into the air as he slowly made his way to the stage, playfully interacting with the crowd.

In stark contrast, Mayweather was serious and focused, rarely looking up from under the brim of his "Money Team" baseball cap to reveal a cheeky smirk.

Once the business of the official weigh-in was complete, the two welterweights moved to the front of the stage, with the smaller Pacquiao looking up at Mayweather with a challenging smile while the stone-faced American stared straight ahead, unmoved.

According to ESPN, Mayweather's eyelids met just once while Pacquiao blinked 10 times during the 28-second stare down.

Not that whoever blinks first loses.

"I have been fighting bigger guys like (Antonio) Margarito and (Oscar) de la Hoya," said the Filipino southpaw.

"It doesn't matter to me. I feel tomorrow that the Lord is always with me and gives me strength.

"I know it's a great, great responsibility for me to give enjoyment to the fans.

"Tomorrow, the fans deserve to have a great fight."

Reuters

Fight smart

"My mindset is to be smart in the fight, I don't know what Manny Pacquiao will do but I am ready to fight. Come Saturday,

we will do what

we do best - fight."

FLOYD MAYWEATHER

Fight for the fans

"I know it's a great, great responsibility for me to give enjoyment to the fans. Tomorrow,

the fans deserve to have a great fight."

MANNY PACQUIAO