Manny Pacquiao wants to prove he is not washed up. And he has some lustre to regain when he fights in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The WBO welterweight champion has more at stake than retaining his title when he faces unbeaten American Timothy Bradley. His reputation is also on the line.
Live television coverage of the tournament starts at 3am (SA, CAT, GMT+2) on SuperSport 2.
Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, did not mince words on Thursday when he said the Filipino?s motivation for the defence was his most recent fight, when he won by majority decision against Juan Manuel Marquez last November.
“We had the first bad fight in eleven years,” Roach said. “Manny wants to prove to the world he’s not washed up.”
Pacquiao has won ?world? titles in eight weight divisions, building a record of 54-3, with two drawn and 38 knockouts.
Along the way he has become a hero in his home country, where he is also a congressman, and a star around the world.
But the 33-year-old southpaw was so unconvincing against Marquez that many experts are wondering if he has passed his peak.
KNOCKOUT ON HIS MIND
Roach said Pacquiao was so determined to prove himself that the champion may be thinking of winning by knockout.
“I do feel he has a knockout on his mind,” Roach said.
But Pacquiao and Roach know the 28-year-old Bradley, with a record of 28-0, including 12 knockouts, will be eager to make an impression in the biggest fight of his career.
“He’s a tough young guy coming up, but I think he’ll get eaten up as he comes,” said Roach, who believes Bradley is too slow and lacking in power to beat Pacquiao.
Bradley could try to avoid a toe-to-toe battle with Pacquiao, whose quickness, power and ability to punch from many angles have seen him win 15 fights in a row since 2005.
Roach believes Bradley will take the fight to Pacquiao, which will suit the champion perfectly.
“I think they are trying to mix us up a little,” Roach said. “I think we can count on him coming to us.”
Even if the challenger does not, Pacquiao will be ready, having sparred with partners who were aggressive and with those who weren’t.
“If he does try not to engage, we’ll take the fight to him,” Roach said.
BRADLEY AT EASE IN INTERVIEWS
Bradley, who won the WBO light-welterweight title by beating Britain’s Junior Witter in England in 2008, will be fighting for only the second time at the welterweight limit.
The pre-fight hype ? including a reality television series following both fighters and numerous publicity stops to promote the pay-per-view programme ? is more than Bradley has encountered before, but he has shown himself adept.
He is relaxed and engaging in his interviews, explaining his vegan diet and the financially lean years of his early pro career.
He got a laugh out of Pacquiao at the pre-fight press conference by unveiling a giant “ticket” for a re-match to follow his victory on Saturday.
Bradley’s trainer, Joel Diaz, says his fighter is ready for the pro-Pacquiao crowd that is sure to greet him Saturday night.
Bradley dealt admirably with the hostile crowd in Nottingham when he upset Witter.
HEAD CLASHES A CONCERN
Both fighters have made adjustments in training to try to minimise the risk of headbutts. Bradley has been accused of leading with his head and Pacquiao?s southpaw style can lead to head clashes.
“He’s tired of people saying he uses his head intentionally,” Diaz said of Bradley.
Roach explained: “He does use his head quite a bit. It’s something we have to be concerned about.
“If he comes in head first, you use lateral movement. Over 12 rounds, a southpaw and righty ? their heads are on the same side. Headbutts do happen.”
