MANILA, Philippines - It’s safe to say that Timothy Bradley, 30 years old and undefeated in 31 fights, may be at the peak of his boxing career.
It’s also safe to say that Manny Pacquiao, now 35 and 1-2 (won-lost) in his last three fights, is just trying to stretch his best years.
On April 12, they will figure in a rematch of their controversial encounter in June 2012 when Bradley came out the winner on points.
Pacquiao said he was “too nice†against Bradley in that fight, and vowed to be the same old Pacquiao, strong and relentless, for the rematch.
The Filipino superstar hasn’t scored a stoppage since 2009, against Miguel Cotto. People think it’s a sign he’s no longer as strong as he once was.
But his trainer, Freddie Roach, said it’s just that Pacquiao, now a congressman and Bible preacher, is showing too much compassion against his opponents.
Pacquiao looks ready to drop the “Mr. Nice Guy†tag.
Both fighters will climb the ring trying to prove who the rightful winner of the first fight is.
Bradley, who took the WBO welterweight title away from Pacquiao in 2012, thinks he was the clear winner the last time out.
He said he scored the fight on his own and won eight of the 12 rounds. He said there’s no way for Pacquiao to win the fight.
Bradley said he’d do it again – beat Pacquiao a second time.
Another loss could finally mean the end of the road for Pacquiao, who was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez five months after the Bradley defeat.
“Manny says he’s going to bring the pain. He says he’s going to be the Manny of old and he’s not going to show compassion,†the American told the Boston Herald.
“He says I’ll have to knock him out to win, and he’ll outbox me,†said Bradley, who thinks that Pacquiao may be too old to do that.