This special edition of 24/7 begins by contrasting Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, both in location and the trappings of their day-to-day lives.
We flash back to the official announcement of the fight, with Manny saying it will be a tough fight and Tim stating that he was coming to win. Bradley is comfortable in the role of underdog and doesn’t care if anyone doubts his chances of winning. A family man, Baradley is seen with his kids, one of whom says Pacquiao better be ready.
Bradley grew up near Palm Springs, but in the North End, not the glamorous part of the city most people know. Tim gives his dad Tim Sr. credit for being a good role model, athletically and otherwise. Despite that, Bradley got in trouble frequently as a youth. He admits to being a bully, even going as far as hitting a kid in a wheelchair. On the urging of a friend, Bradley went into a boxing gym for the first time 18 years ago and never looked back.
Across the world, Pacquiao gives his home fans in General Santos City a look at him training. Manny says he’s anxious to get back in the gym, as he hasn’t been training since November. After his workout, the gym is tansformed into a small auditorium, where Pac-Man leads a bible study session. Pacquiao talks about a dream he had last November in which God spoke to him directly, and he says it made him recommit himself to the Bible.
Wife Jinkee calls their life together a roller coaster ride but says their relationship went from 50 percent trust to 100 percent trust. We see some of the family-owned businesses, which no longer include sports bars. Jinkee says they were closed down to get Pacquiao away from drinking, gambling and girls.
Back in California, Bradley is already working hard even though the fight is more than two months away. Tim claims that no one can work harder than him or out-last him in the ring. He also talks about the first big chance he got, when he upset Junior Witter. A few more highlights follow.
Tim Sr. says he has been his son’s strength and conditioning coach “since he came out his mom’s womb.” His workout and motivational techniques can be a bit unconventional, but Bradley is grateful for the strength they have given him. Bradley narrates highlights of the Kendall Holt fight, when he was knocked down in the first round. He credits his dad for that, and even though Tim Senior’s only formal role now is as a corrnerman on fight night, he’s still an important part of the team.
Pacquiao is training for something a little different: a shooting competition. Manny talks about the focus it gives him, which segues into a discussion about his occasionally questionable focus leading into past fights due to outside distractions. Jinkee mentions some doubts she had about him moving up in weight, saying she only feels comfortable with him fighting bigger guys if he is 100 percent focused.
On that subject, highlights are shown of Pacquiao’s third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez last November. Manny looked vulnerable in that one, and he says it was because he felt a need to force the action to prevent a boring fight. Jinkee thinks it was because of his personal troubles, including in his marriage. Pac-Man also mentions skipping plyometrics, which he won’t do again.
Manny is shown jogging through the park with some members of his team, the same place he did as a kid. He calls the Marquez fight a lesson that has taught him a lot.
Bradley helps coach his stepson’s football team, and his wife discusses how devoted he is to his family. Tim scoffs at the idea that being around his family is a distraction. His wife Monica likes the way Tim treats her kids from her first marriage like his own. Bradley talks about how proud he was when his own daughter was born, and how he wants his career to give his kids an easier life.
Clearly, Bradley feeds off of the doubts of others, and will be using them as fuel again on June 9. He says it’s not about money for him, but his desire to take Pacquiao’s “throne,” his spot as the top guy in boxing.
Next episode: Drama between Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza in Pacquiao’s camp, and more on Bradley’s balance of training and family.
