FORMER super featherweight champion Rolando Navarrete predicted that his compatriot Manny Pacquiao would win via knockout against unbeaten American Timothy Bradley when the two fight on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA.
Navarrete, known as the ?Bad Boy from Dadiangas? during his heydays as a world champion, told The Manila Times during the Elorde Awards at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City on Sunday night that Bradley (28-0 win-loss card with 12 knockouts) would not last five rounds against Pacquaio.
?He (Bradley) can?t make it in five rounds because Pacquiao is a more powerful puncher and faster than him. Manny will score a knockout win,? said Navarrete in Filipino.
Navarette retired in 1991 with a record of 54-15-3 with 31 knockouts. The World Boxing Council named him the No. 9 best super featherweight champion in history.
Navarette, now 55 and impoverished after losing all his earnings because of carefree living, said that he is still hitting the bag regularly to condition his body, ?Yes I?m still doing my training in General Santos to keep me fit,? he said.
Navarette also revealed that Pacquiao, whom he esteemed highly. is helping him financially, ?He (Manny) is really a good person. He doesn?t ask anything in return from me. I?m so very thankful to him.?
