Bradley is a vegan - PETA

MANILA, Philippines - Timothy Bradley Jr., who beat Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, is a vegetarian, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

PETA yesterday said the 28-year-old American boxer, who stopped the seven-year undefeated streak of Pacquiao and took the WBO welterweight title from the Filipino slugger, does not eat meat and packs quite a punch.

Apart from Bradley, there were other athletes known to be vegetarians, PETA said.

“Vegetarian diets provide all the protein that athletes need without all the artery-clogging saturated animal fats and cholesterol found in meat, giving meat-free fighters, including Bradley, UFC’s (Ultimate Fighting Championship) Mac Danzig and Jake Shields, WWE’s (World Wrestling Entertainment) Daniel Bryan, and women’s boxing champ Maureen Shea, the energy to go the distance,” PETA said.

Bryan told the US based PETA that his “energy levels have been great... I’m stronger right now than I’ve ever been... I’m dead-lifting more than I ever have before.”

“I need to keep my body in top physical shape. Since I’ve stopped eating meat, I’m stronger, faster, and... happier!” Shea said.

Danzig added, “You don’t need any kind of animal products to be an athlete in this day and age.”

The animal rights group said vegetarian meals are considered the food of champions because athletes who switch to plant-based protein consistently report a substantial increase in energy and a dramatic decrease in recovery time.

Unlike animal protein, plant-based protein sources are easily absorbed by the body and contain healthy fiber and complex carbohydrates – so vegan athletes stay lean and build muscle without slowing themselves down with cholesterol and saturated fat, PETA said.

Vegans are also less prone to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity than meat-eaters are, and a naturally low-fat, meat-free diet has even been shown to reverse the effects of heart disease, one of the Philippines’ top killers.

What’s more, 90 percent of Filipinos are lactose-intolerant. In addition, when people avoid dairy products, their bodies work more efficiently.

Meat production is also a leading cause of greenhouse-gas emissions, water pollution, and land degradation. The best way to fight the cruelty and pollution of factory farms and slaughterhouses is to kick the meat habit.

Other vegetarian athletes – many of whom have worked with PETA Asia and its overseas affiliates to promote healthy, meat-free meals – include hockey’s Georges Laraque, basketball great John Salley, Ultraman Rich Roll, Ironman triathlete Brendan Brazier, football star Ricky Williams, “Olympian of the Century” Carl Lewis, Home Run Derby winner Prince Fielder, snowboarding champion Hannah Teter, and marathon runner Scott Jurek, who just published a book for athletes on the benefits of a vegan diet.