To kick off the promotional tour, Pacquiao joined ESPN’s SportsCenter to talk about the sequel following their blockbuster bout from 11 years ago, which resulted in Mayweather winning the matchup by unanimous decision.

"It just happened that I'm still active in boxing and then he came out of retirement, so he decided to do it again. This is it. I'm so excited for the fight,” said Pacquiao.

"Before he wanted an exhibition with me, but I disagreed. I didn't want an exhibition. I wanted a real fight like this. So, this is it. This is what I have been waiting for.”

Mayweather, who turned 49 on Tuesday, and Pacquiao, 47, have been making parallel moves over the last week to set up the fight.

Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) confirmed his intent to return from a nine-year retirement as well as an exhibition with Mike Tyson, which is supposed to take place April 25 in the Congo.

Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), meanwhile, announced an exhibition against Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao returned from a four-year retirement in July and fought to a majority draw against then-WBC welterweight beltholder Mario Barrios.

The initial encounter between Mayweather and Pacquiao was a highly anticipated matchup labeled as the “Fight of the Century,” but the bout failed to live up to its massive billing despite its blockbuster success generating nearly $600 million in revenue.

Following the fight, Pacquiao claimed he came in with an injured shoulder. The stunning and unreported development led groups of fans to pursue legal action alleging fraud.

"Oh yeah, I learned a lot from that fight way back in 2015,” said Pacquiao. “I think we have become mature and we know how to handle it. I hope that it will not happen again [like the last fight]. I'm hoping this time around there are no more excuses, especially for my condition and everything. I'm so excited and ready to fight.

"Both of us are disciplined fighters. We are taking care of our bodies. I always work out, almost every day ... Right now, I still can fight. I feel like I'm still young, nothing's changed."