The whole boxing universe wanted to see pound for pound best fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao face arguably second best, Floyd Mayweather in the ring this spring. Another let down; instead, Manny Pacquiao will fight undefeated light welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley. Why would fans care about this upcoming bout on June 9th??
?I am young. I am hungry. I am determined,? said Bradley when posed that question during LA press tour last month:? Manny Pacquiao hasn?t seen a fighter like myself, of my caliber in a very long time. He?s faced some top guys out there, but they were past their prime. I am right in my prime. I am physically sound. I believe in myself. I believe in my ability. I believe that I can beat him and that is the reason why people should tune in to this fight. Speed for speed, punch for punch I am there, right there with him and that?s how I feel. He is going to have to prove me wrong on June 9th.?
Last year Timothy Bradley was widely criticized by fans and media for not taking on a fellow title holder in a junior welterweight division, Amir Khan in a hotly anticipated unification bout. Young fighter from Palm Springs stood his ground and a tidal wave of criticism, by stating over and over that this decision was strictly business, unfinished business with his promoter, Gary Shaw. In hindsight cutting ties with Gary Shaw was the best career move for Timothy. Second fight under the new promotional company, Top Rank, Bradley hit the jack pot. Advertisement
?I never thought it would be this soon,? admitted Bradley (28-0,12KO):?I knew that if I got in position, I knew that it may happen. Cameron(manager), my wife and I, we made a decision to go over to Top Rank to try to get in position for Manny Pacquiao fight, but I really didn?t think it was going to be this soon. I felt that Manny had some other fights out there, but they didn?t work out, so here we are.?
Boxing is a theater of the unexpected. A few years ago, no one in the world expected for Manny Pacquiao not only to land a fight against Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya but to thoroughly dominate him and make him quit on his stool. Bradley fight came a bit unexpected, but nobody is as surprised as the young champion from Palm Springs.
?I am very surprised that this fight is actually happening,? said Bradley,28:? Honestly I think that a lot of people feel that this is a very dangerous fight for Manny. They know this is not going to be a walk in the park. At this point n he?s proven himself that he is one of the best, if not the best of all time, so I just thank him for this opportunity. I am getting a shot at the number one spot. I really do thank him.?
Timothy Bradley is scheduled to challenge Manny Pacquiao for a WBO welterweight title on June 9th at the Mecca of boxing, MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. HBO PPV will do live broadcast of the fight. Manny Pacquiao, who took a welterweight division by a storm in the past several years, is recognized as the best pound for pound fighter by the Ring Magazine. Does team Bradley know what they got themselves into ?
?They know it is going to be a tough, tough fight,? Bradley said:? They know Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. They know that he is the best and they know that I am willing to go through hell to win this fight.?
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