LAS VEGAS ? The storied career of Manny Pacquiao, winner of an unprecedented eight world titles in as many weight classes and the greatest Filipino athlete of all time, could come to an abrupt end Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) after he faces Tim Bradley at the MGM Grand.
Many questions remain unanswered and Pacquiao says the third meeting with Bradley will provide the answers to many queries surrounding his future and his legacy.
And if there?s doubt that he is going through the motions and is more concerned about collecting the guaranteed $20-million paycheck than anything else, Pacquiao guarantees that is not the case.
?This will be a chance to show everyone the result of the sacrifices that I made during training camp,? said Pacquiao, who will be fighting for the 26th time on US soil.
Manny Pacquiao, left, of the Philippines, and Timothy Bradley pose during a weigh-in, Friday, April 8, 2016, in Las Vegas. They are scheduled to fight in a welterweight title fight Saturday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
During the official weigh-in on Friday, Pacquiao (57-3-2 wth 38 KOs) came in a svelte 145 ? lbs and about 147 or 148 lbs when the bell rings at the Grand Garden Arena.
?I expect plenty of action this time compared to our last fight,? said Pacquiao, who at 37, is running for a seat in the Senate in next month?s elections
Bradley (33-1-1 with 13 KOs), whose physique resembled a Greek god, tipped in at 146 ? lbs, sounding extremely confident that he will make his head-to-head matchup with Pacquiao at 2-1 in his favor. ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads
Assured of a $4-million payday, Bradley, 32, believes his decision to hire Teddy Atlas in place of Joel Diaz, will play a pivotal role in the welterweight contest set for 12 rounds.
Under Atlas, Bradley said he became smarter and being so has made him realize the mistakes that he committed in 2012 and 2014.
As fans cheered wildly for Pacquiao, it was not the same case for Bradley, whose apparent lack of appeal made the weigh-in uneventful compared to the previous ones that Pacquiao starred in.
But Bradley, slighted by the anemic response of the audience to his presence, is looking forward to getting back at Pacquiao fans.
?(I am) glad that the fans came out to support this event,? said Bradley, who was awarded a gift split decision the first time he met Pacquiao and dropped a unanimous verdict in the rematch in 2014.
?(But) they better get ready for tomorrow. I think there?s going to be a lot of disappointed fans out there,? said the Palm Springs native, who walked around the stage holding a banana after the weigh in.
Pacquiao, whose overall record in US fights, stands at 19-4-2 (with 12 KOs), spent the hours after the weigh in surrounded by his flock at the Delano by hosting a preaching session and entertaining his well-wishers in his suite.
Tony Weeks will be the referee of the main event, while the three judges are Las Vegas residents Dave Moretti and Burt Clements and New York?s Weisfeld.
Pacquiao, coming off a loss to Floyd Mayweather, remains the betting favorite.
Solons back Pacquiao
Meanwhile, Filipino lawmakers are rallying behind Pacquiao.
Independent vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on all Filipinos yesterday to unite behind Pacquiao and pray his victory.
?At least for a few hours, let us forget politics and rally together in support of our ?Pambansang Kamao (National Fist) Manny Pacquiao,? Marcos said.
Marcos said that no matter what some people may say against Pacquaio, there can be no dispute that he has brought honor and international recognition to our country throughout his remarkable career that catapulted him to the ranks of boxing greats.
?Manny rekindled our pride as Filipinos and inspired many of us to strive for excellence, even against overwhelming odds. Definitely, Manny deserves the support of the entire Filipino nation in his farewell fight,? he said.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and House Independent Bloc leader Martin Romualdez expressed confidence that Pacquiao will win the much-awaited bout.
?Give it your best. At the end, it will be another triumph for you. You have my prayers and best wishes Manny. Mabuhay,? Belmonte said.
Romualdez said he has no doubts that Pacquiao will bring honor to the country anew, being a world champion in eight different divisions.
?I wish you all the very best of luck and we are sending all the positive vibes to help you win this fight,? he said.
?Congressman Pacquiao showed excellence in many fields, especially in boxing where he always plays with fervent passion. He continues to win the hearts of so many people here and abroad,? Romualdez said.
Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas said, ?Pacquiao is a great source of pride of Filipinos and we wish him another victory again.? (With reports from Mario B. Casayuran and Charissa M. Luci)
