INDIO, California ? Timothy Bradley said he was still six pounds over the welterweight limit when he staged a quick, open workout at his personal gym in this city 195 kilometers east of Los Angeles.
?I?m one-fifty-three. Six more to go,? said Bradley Friday afternoon, when fans, men, women and children who came to see him train, outnumbered members of the press.
A handful of Filipino fight fans from nearby Palm Springs were around the concrete gym which Bradley built for his own personal use three years ago.
It?s only eight days before his scheduled welterweight clash against super fighter Manny Pacquiao. Yet, there was no air of concern from Bradley, who looked comfortable where he?s at.
Bradley had the muscles of a great bodybuilder and a demeanor loved by his fans. He was definitely heavier than Pacquiao, now walking around no heavier than 145 pounds.
Perhaps it?s his way of doing things, and if he loses just close to a pound each day heading to the fight, then he?ll be safe at 147 in time for next Friday?s official weigh-in at the MGM Grand. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Over at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, the retiring Filipino slugger staged his own workout Friday afternoon, behind closed doors, before a small group of team members.
In the morning, Pacquiao had a typical uphill run at Griffith Park, a tedious practice which Bradley has not practiced in training and paid very little attention to.
Bradley, now being trained by Teddy Atlas, must be saving his energy for the fight itself, his third in four years after a controversial win and a loss to the 37-year-old Pacquiao.
?It?s all about being smart. It?s all about putting in the proper work. It?s not about sparring until you can?t spar anymore,? he said.
On Saturday, Pacquiao spars for the last time, for three or four rounds.
Bradley made mediamen guess what?s the farthest he?d gone on his roadwork as he prepared for the third fight of his life ? each one against Pacquiao.
?Three-and-a-half miles ? no more,? he said.
The five-time world champion, coming off a big knockout over a flabby Brandon Rios last November, said he?s flexing just enough muscles this time.
?I just have to do what I need to do. I have to be smarter, stronger and faster, and beat him,? he said.
Bradley is convinced he won the first fight against Pacquiao, when most people think not, and despite twisting his right ankle in the latter rounds.
In the second fight, he said he tore a calf muscle, and Pacquiao ran away with a unanimous victory.
For Bradley, it was tougher handling his victory than his loss to Pacquiao.
?The pressure is on. The heat is on. And a lot of people can?t handle that. But this time could be a lot easier than the first time,? he said.
After 24 rounds between them, neither boxer had gone down to the floor.
?You just can?t go out looking for a knockout,? said Bradley, like Pacquiao the ex-WBO welterweight champion.
Bradley was fielding questions from the press and at the same time signing autographs for his fans.
?I?m calmer now. I?m more composed,? Bradley said.
?I just want a solid, decisive win,? he added.
