Philippines, 04 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SUDDENLY, VEGAS AIR THICK WITH KO RUMORS


PhilBoxing.com




BEFORE giving his final pre-fight order, the famous American boxing trainer Freddie Roach had been swearing Manny Pacquiao would not be going for an outright knockout.

Ditto with Pacquiao, loving and sweet in the final press con, who stressed he would not chase a stoppage, unlike in his losing try against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May.

Look out. Roach had just called for a knockout, scant hours before yesterday?s weigh-in for what finally promises to be a real war at the Las Vegas MGM Grand.

**

That?s the final command: a resounding KO, after Roach had succeeded in convincing Pacquiao to forego a final workout over fears the underweight Filipino superhero could succumb to the spectre of an on-fight burn-out.

Will Pacquiao succeed in throwing and landing the heavy bombs from a relatively flimsy frame?

But of course, if you asked Roach who sounded deathly sure Pacquiao, feared king of southpaws, could in fact also hit the jackpot with his right hand, whose rotator cup had to be repaired after the Mayweather fiasco.

**

Meanwhile, Timothy Bradley, who had allowed himself to bloat to 153 pounds a week before the 147-lbs. showdown, tipped the scales splendidly at 146.5 llbs. He was described as muscular.
Pacquiao, who had drenched to as low as 140 lbs., made it at 145.5 lbs. He was described as trim.

It would be known inside the ring who between the rivals employed the wiser poundage control on the way to the final weight test.

**

The weigh-in session brought out what both camps had tried to conceal: Both Pacquiao and Bradley would not hesitate to score a stoppage.

Yes, Bradley, who?s been stressing they would prefer to fight a tactical fight, stay focused, and stick to a severe plot three minutes at a time, suddenly announced they ?should be ready for the whuppin? while adding Pacquiao fans would be in for a big disappointment.

For his part, Pacquiao promised to fight better than he did against Mayweather and bring out the fight he had in training.

**

This sudden change in temper from the main protagonists was also seen as a belated rouser, a desperate bid to heighten the uncertainty and help the flagging pay-per-view merchandising.
There are bigger questions that should be answered during the moment of truth.

Will Bradley, resharpened thru the mechanical tinkering of his new trainer, prove to be a perfect robot, and rule like a hybrid boxing beast?

Or will Pacquiao land the perfect punch which, as Roach predicted, would shut up the victim and reduce Bradley to a stammering statue.

It?s the perfect puncher versus perfect robot. Let the perfect warrior win.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Who was Clever Sison?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Two Pacquiaos on same card?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Jimuel draws in pro debut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
    , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.