Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao” is almost ready to retire, but before he does he and Timothy Bradley have some unfinished business as they get ready to reprise their roles as rivals for the third time inside the ring.
Pacquiao, an eight-time world champion and five-time world champion Bradley each promised that things would be different this time as they stared down each other on Tuesday (January 19) in Beverly Hills during a media luncheon, where it was announced they’ll meet in a 12-round welterweight championship fight set for April 9, in Las Vegas.
“It is going to be different because I believe we can create more action this time around compared to the last fight that we had,” said Pacquiao, who in some ways must be motivated to try and erase the memory of his loss to Floyd Mayweather, in what many saw as a very boring fight. “Because we know and saw that he improved in his last fight in his style.”
Bradley, who is coming off a strong performance under his new trainer Teddy Atlas, also is looking forward to lots of action.
“We are super confident going into this third fight,” said Bradley. “Knowing what I know and going 24 rounds with him, knowing Manny Pacquaio. He’s not King Kong, I feel honestly that this is my time and I am going to win this fight on April 09.”
For Pacquiao, the future Hall of Famer who brings a record of 57-6-2 into the bout, feels that the timing is right to end his career after the trilogy with Bradley.
“I am so happy to be hanging my gloves up after this fight because of what I have done,” explained Pacquiao. “I am sure that I will feel sad after that. But, that is life, not all the time you are fighting or in the ring. But, it is time.”
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s long time trainer feels the same way.
“I’m really excited about this fight,” said Roach. “I think it is going to be a great fight. I’m looking forward to Manny Pacquiao’s retirement fight and Manny going home to become president of his country. I think Manny Pacquiao is the greatest fighter of his decade of his era.
After hangin’ up the gloves, Pacquiao the fighter will focus his career in politics and helping his people, where he’s a congressional representative in his home country of the Philippines.
In the meantime, he has an 8-week training camp to get ready for Timothy Bradley. (Reuters)
