Manny Pacquiao training in LA (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
There are rumors going around that the old Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) is back, that the power that once left his mighty fists have made a triumphant return, and are locked and loaded, ready to fire away at opponent Timothy Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) on April 9 at the MGM Grand.
Pacquiao, who had not stopped an opponent since his domination of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto back in 2009, had strung together seven years of decision wins, with a pair of losses to boot. But Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has seen Pacquiao in training recently, and he spoke very highly of the former pound-for-pound king.
"I was very pleased with how Manny looked," said Arum. "This Manny Pacquiao is the best Manny Pacquiao I've seen before the [Oscar] De La Hoya fight."
Pacquiao broke into superstardom when he began a meteoric rise through various weight divisions, by not only beating his opponents but downright blowing them out of the water.
In 2003, Pacquiao decimated then top ten fighter Marco Antonio Barrera, stopping the previously unstopped Mexican legend in 11 rounds.
He went on to climb to as high as super welterweight, winning the title there in a catchweight bout against Antonio Margarito in 2010.
But since the Cotto fight, Pacquiao has looked for a knockout. His supporters, which includes Arum have all promised knockouts, but none came.
Last year, Pacquiao and long-time nemesis Floyd Mayweather Jr., were both finally able to settle their rivalry inside the ring in what turned out to be the richest fight in boxing history. Pacquiao however, underwhelmed in a lackluster performance, citing a right shoulder injury immediately afterwards which limited his ability to make use of his right hand which had previously proven to be essential in his success.
After the fight, Pacquiao had surgery, and this Arum believes is the difference maker.
"Because he could function with the right hand but he's had that tear since the De La Hoya fight which is now repaired and he's using that right hand a lot more effectively," said Arum.
If Pacquiao performs impressively against Bradley in this third bout, more so if he's able to win via knockout, Arum believes Pacquiao will renege on his earlier claims that this would serve as his last fight and subsequent exit from the sport.
"Again, that hasn't changed. Manny says what Manny says but my belief is my belief," said Arum.
For fans hoping Pacquiao would continue his career and land more big fights against the likes of Terence Crawford, Amir Khan and Canelo Alvarez -- and perhaps even a rematch with Mayweather -- maybe a knockout on April 9 is just what Pacquiao needs to realize he isn't done with the sport and that the sport isn't done with him.
