READY FOR ACTION | Manny Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas tomorrow for Bradley bout (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
Boxing's only eight-division world champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) is making his grand arrival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, tomorrow, just a few days ahead of his third bout with American Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) which takes place Saturday, April 9 (April 10 Manila time).
Pacquiao and Bradley will climb into the ring having already faced each other twice before, splitting the victories with Bradley taking a split decision in 2012 and Pacquiao avenging that defeat with a unanimous decision in 2014.
Since then however, both pugilists have gone down varying paths. Pacquiao, 37, has experienced a slight physical decline, and is noticeably slower and less powerful compared to when he was in his prime. Bradley, 32, has employed new trainer, legendary coach Teddy Atlas and together, the pair has produced a technical knockout for Bradley in his most latest fight against Brandon Rios.
For the most part, Pacquiao acknowledges Bradley's transformation, and even praises his adversary for handling a particularly tough opponent in the past.
"[Bradley] works hard, we knew that even in the Provodnikov fight. Provodnikov is a strong puncher, yet he still survived," said Pacquiao, referring to Bradley's 2013 bout against Russian sensation Ruslan Provodnikov.
Bradley was terribly hurt on multiple occasions against the man they call the "Siberian Rocky", and was able to muster enough courage to eke out a 12 round unanimous decision. If given the chance however, Pacquiao does not want this third bout to fall into the hands of the judges.
"No predictions, but if there's a chance (for the knockout), why not?" Pacquiao asked in the rhetoric.
This is obviously easier said than done, because Pacquiao hasn't knocked out an opponent since his 2009 triumph over tough Boricua banger, Miguel Cotto. Most of Pacquiao's opponents have been able to avoid being kayoed either by going into survival mode or by having tremendous chins, like Bradley.
According to Freddie Roach however, one reason why Pacquiao hasn't finished his opponents as of late is due to the fact that he just hasn't translated his power from the lower weight divisions.
"My natural weight if you ask me, I can still make 135 because I came from 135," said Pacquiao, when asked what his natural fighting weight was.
"I'll tell you, with heavy training and eating right, my natural weight is 140-141 with no diet. At 147 I have to eat three times more extra just to make the weight."
Pacquiao has opted to compete in higher weight classes to ease the burden of having to cut weight, which is not exactly a fighter's favorite aspect of training.
