BEVERLY HILLS, California—Spend enough time around hard-core boxing followers, and their opinions begin taking the shape of gospel. Timothy Bradley is stronger and younger than Manny Pacquiao, the argument starts. Some say that Pacquiao was “exposed” as an older, less powerful fighter in his narrow November decision over Juan Manuel Marquez.
And that Bradley, 28, can beat Pacquiao, 33, in their June 9 fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Wait, what?
“It’s a tough test, this is a young guy coming up to take on the established guy and being undefeated can make you highly resilient to losing,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said about Bradley at a Beverly Hills news conference on Tuesday.
“But I don’t think we’re that old. And I don’t think he can match Manny’s speed. Bradley likes to come in with his head, but I’ll have Manny put his fists where that head will be.”
Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 knockouts) is more than a 4-to-1 favorite to successfully defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt against Cathedral City, California’s Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs).
“Bradley’s a strong boxer…undefeated, very hungry to fight me…the kind of fight you cannot underestimate,” Pacquiao said. “I know I need to train very hard.”
While Bradley is preparing for what he called “the fight of my life,” Pacquiao has to find motivation to win what’s effectively a replacement fight while keeping alive the diminishing hope of staging a November super-fight against unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao spent more time explaining Tuesday why the Mayweather fight isn’t happening than discussing the Bradley challenge.
“I don’t think he’s ready to fight now,” Pacquiao said of Mayweather, who instead chose to take on super-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on May 5. “I told Floyd last month over the phone that we need to make this fight happen, that ‘I’m OK with a 50-50 deal,’ and he said, ‘I’ll give you $40 million guaranteed and no pay-per-view money.’ “
Pacquiao laughed. His adviser, Michael Koncz, speculates that each man could make $70 million for the bout, and Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, had authorized extending $50 million guarantees to both men, Koncz said.
“I didn’t want to accept the [Mayweather] offer,” Pacquiao said. “It’s embarrassing to me, like he’s trying to take advantage of me. It said to me he doesn’t want to fight now.”
Pacquiao said he wants to honor the wishes of his 11-year-old son, Manny Jr., who recently asked him not to end his boxing career without defeating Mayweather.
Yet, Pacquiao also said on Tuesday he anticipates taking only “a couple more fights” before retiring.
Roach bluntly said that a November Pacquiao-Mayweather mega-bout is “definitely possible” because “they both will have nowhere else to go.”
As long as Bradley doesn’t pull the upset.
“I have the skills and defense to compete with Pacquiao,” Bradley said. “I feel it’s time for a new face in boxing. And that’s me. (Pacquiao) hasn’t seen my caliber of fighter in a long time. Speed for speed, punch for punch, I’m right there with him. If he’s thinking retirement, that’s in my favor. I’m in my prime.”
Little-known challenger
ROACH had repeatedly showed little interest in a bout with Bradley in recent years, citing Bradley’s near anonymity and limited knockout power. Although Bradley’s record makes him an eminently worthy opponent, he only pulled into prime position for the bout last year when he joined promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank alongside Pacquiao.
Pacquiao and Bradley haven’t exactly built up any motivation to punch each other in the face yet, either. After Pacquiao cracked up in laughter when he posed for a staredown with Bradley, the Filipino champion grabbed a camera and shot a few photos of Bradley, who struck a goofy pose.
Pacquiao is “probably the best fighter in the history of boxing,” said Bradley, a physical boxer best known for using his shaved head as a battering ram to get inside on his opponents. “He’s a great role model, a great guy, but Manny Pacquiao has reigned for a long time, and I really feel like I’m the new face of boxing.”
Boxing could need a new face as soon as next year. Mayweather has fought sparingly in his 30s, and Pacquiao says he’ll consider retirement in November after his next two bouts.
Pacquiao cites a renewed religious fervor for his interest in retirement, saying he’s no longer comfortable pounding on his opponents while winning his last 15 fights. Roach said Pacquiao’s last training camp “fell apart” in its final days because of numerous distractions including friction between Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, resulting in a mediocre performance in a narrow victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.
“He says God doesn’t want him to hurt people,” Roach said. “That bothers me a little bit, but Manny has always been a compassionate person.”
Pacquiao is making a brief trip stateside before heading back to the Philippines. After stops in Las Vegas and Hollywood for promotional shoots, he’s taking a Nike corporate jet to New York for more publicity—and hopefully a meeting with Jeremy Lin before the Knicks’ next game Wednesday night.
“Jeremy Lin, I’m proud as an Asian,” said Pacquiao, an avid basketball fan and player. “We’re very proud of him. Keep up the good work.”
(With AP)
