Timothy Bradley seeks convincing win over Manny Pacquiao
Timothy Bradley won his first fight against Manny Pacquiao according to two judges, the fighter himself and a few close friends.
Now that he has a rematch scheduled April 12 at MGM Grand, he’s counting on a return to full physical health and the confidence generated by two 2013 victories to win definitively.
“I’ve been ridiculed, disrespected, demonized,” Bradley said Tuesday, as he and Pacquiao took part in a news conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Tickets, scaled from $150 to $1,000, go on sale Wednesday.
“I know what to expect this time; it’s like riding a bike — the second time is easier,” Bradley said.
Coachella Valley’s World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Bradley (31-0, 12 knockouts) has also been boosted by his performances in beating Ruslan Provodnikov in the 2013 fight of the year last March, followed by a superb boxing display to edge Juan Manuel Marquez by split-decision in October.
“I went back to my boxing roots against Marquez instead of slugging it out, like I did with Provodnikov,” Bradley said.
Beyond that, Bradley is expecting to avoid the discomfort of separate ankle and foot injuries he suffered in the first Pacquiao fight, in June 2012. After claiming the split-decision win, he showed up at the news conference in a wheelchair.
“My movement, that’s the biggest thing; I can out-box him,” Bradley said. “I’ll be
healthy.”
“We are ready to make this fight clear, give the people what they didn’t see in the first one,” said Bradley’s trainer, Joel Diaz.
Bradley said he’ll start training camp Monday in Indio.
Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs) will begin his training in the Philippines, then resume his camp March 1 at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
“One thing I can assure you is this is going to be a good fight,” Pacquiao said. “Both of us have something to prove. Bradley’s proved a lot with his boxing abilities in our last fight, against Ruslan and Marquez.
“This is going to be a good fight, more action. I’m thankful I have another chance to fight and I’ll fight aggressive and smart like I did” in beating Brandon Rios by unanimous decision in November.
Bradley said while he’s aware Pacquiao can hit — “Every punch was a death blow,” – he doesn’t sense the same enthusiasm for fighting from the 35-year-old.
“I feel the killer instinct is gone,” Bradley said.
“I know everyone didn’t think I won the fight, this fight is redemption for me, to get the credit I didn’t get.”
Twitter: @latimespugmire
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