|
LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Manny Pacquiao has more at stake than his WorldBoxing Organisation welterweight title when he takes on unbeatenAmerican Timothy Bradley on Saturday - he has his reputation on theline. Pacquaio trainer Freddie Roach didn't mince words when he said theFilipino ring icon would be fighting to regain some luster afterhis controversial majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez lastNovember. "Manny's motivation is his last fight. We had the first bad fightwe had in 11 years," Roach said. "He wants to prove to the worldhe's not washed up." Pacquiao has won world titles in eight weight divisions, building arecord of 54-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts. Along the way he has become a hero in his home country, where he isalso a congressman, and a star around the world. But the 33-year-old southpaw was unconvincing against Marquez,leading many to wonder if he has passed the peak of his powers. Roach said that Pacquiao is so determined to prove himself, Roachsaid, that he believes the fighter is thinking knockout. "I do feel he has a knockout on his mind," Roach said. Both Pacquiao and Roach know that the 28-year-old Bradley, whobrings a record of 28-0 to the bout with 12 knockouts, will beeager 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 upas he comes," said Roach, who believes Bradley is too slow andlacking in power to beat Pacquiao. Bradley has said he will try to avoid a toe-to-toe battle withPacquiao, whose quickness, power and ability to punch from manyangles have seen him win 15 fights in a row since 2005. Roach said he believes that Bradley will bring the fight toPacquiao, which will suit the champion perfectly. "I think they are trying to mix us up a little," Roach said. "Ithink we can count on him coming to us." Even if he doesn't, Roach said, Pacquiao will be ready, havingsparred with partners who were aggressive and with those whoweren't. "If he does try not to engage, we'll take the fight to him," Roachsaid. Bradley, who won the WBO light welterweight title by beatingBritain's Junior Witter in England in 2008, will be fighting forjust the second time at 147 pounds. The pre-fight hype - including a reality television seriesfollowing both fighters and numerous publicity stops to promote thepay-per-view programme - is more than Bradley has encounteredbefore, but he has shown himself adept. He is relaxed and engaging in his interviews, explaining his vegandiet and the financially lean years of his early pro career. He got a laugh out of Pacquiao at the pre-fight press conference byunveiling a giant "ticket" for a re-match to follow his victory onSaturday. Bradley's trainer, Joel Diaz, also said his fighter was ready forthe pro-Pacquiao crowd that is sure to greet him Saturday night atthe MGM Grand Garden Arena, noting that he dealt admirably with thehostile crowd in Nottingham when he upset Witter. Both fighters have said they have made adjustments in training totry to minimise the risk of head-butts determining the bout -Bradley because he has been accused of leading with his head in thepast and Pacquiao mainly because the southpaw-righty matchup canoften lead to such butts. "He's tired of all these people saying he uses his headintentionally," Diaz said of Bradley. Roach didn't go so far as to call Bradley a dirty fighter, butsaid: "He does use his head quite a bit. It's something we have tobe concerned about. "If he comes in head first, you use lateral movement. Over 12rounds, a southpaw and righty, their heads are on the same side.Head butts do happen." - AFP/de. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Pocket Hand Warmers , China Lifepo4 Rechargeable Battery for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Rechargeable Lead Acid Batteries.
Related Articles -
China Pocket Hand Warmers, China Lifepo4 Rechargeable Battery,
|
