MANILA, Philippines — The last time Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum saw Tim Bradley in the flesh several months ago, the undefeated American fighter was a bit pudgy and didn?t look like the one who flexed his muscles during an open workout Thursday near Palm Springs.
Arum dropped by Bradley?s open training session for the international media and was surprised to see Bradley having pronounced muscles all over his body.
That made Arum believed that Bradley is indeed not pulling his leg about his bold prediction of upsetting Manny Pacquiao on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bradley had the crowd in awe when he took off his shirt and posed for pictures, his biceps as large as cantaloupes and his breadbasket resembling moon rocks.
?He looks ripped and ready,? said Arum, who joined a large group of journalists at the gym.
Arum was beaming with pride upon seeing how the progress of Bradley?s training and assured fight fans that the underdog is aching to go to war with the Filipino pound-for-pound king.
It was the first time Bradley welcomed a huge number of reporters and photographers to see him train and the 28-year-old puncher spoke the language of confidence with just a little over two weeks before their much-awaited clash.
?I am ready to go,? said Bradley, whose confidence level was juiced up by the media turnout, the largest he?d seen for a fight he is headlining.
Over at the Wild Card in Hollywood, Pacquiao also was in his best element, giving lead trainer Freddie Roach all the reason in the world to look forward to a smashing performance.
?He really looked great,? said Roach.
Like Team Bradley, the Pacquiao camp also can?t wait to hear the opening bell.
