Bradley out to prove critics wrong in Pacquiao rematch

MANILA, Philippines – WBO welterweight Timothy Bradley admits getting tired of the criticisms hurled at him regarding his win over Manny Pacquiao two years ago.

Bradley shocked the boxing world that fateful night in June 2012 when he escaped with a majority decision win over Pacquiao, a result so controversial that it was blasted by boxing observers and fans alike.

In a report by Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN News North America, the undefeated American recalled their first fight and all the negative things that followed it.

“The first time around was horrible, especially when I walk around. People were constantly reminding me that, ‘You didn’t win, you didn’t win, they gave it to you,’” Bradley said.

“That hurts me, especially as a fighter, especially as a champion,” he added.

Bradley was supposed to become a superstar after that win and draw bigger paydays fighting bigger names, but instead settled for less-than-stellar bouts against Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Now, he gets another shot at superstardom with a convincing win over Pacquiao when they meet again on April 12 in Las Vegas for his title.

“A lot of people know who I am. Am I a household name? I believe I’m getting there. If I can fill up a stadium of ten thousand people, I think I’m a household name. I don’t know if I’m capable of doing that just yet,” Bradley explained.

“I still gotta work, I still gotta prove myself. I think by beating Pacquiao on April 12, I’ll be able to fill those stands up,” he further said.

In the same interview, Bradley disclosed a pre-fight ritual that he had been carrying out throughout his career – something he believes is partly responsible for keeping him unbeaten in 31 fights.

“My superstitions, honestly, what I do is, the whole week of the fight, I don’t take a shower,” he revealed. “I don’t know why that’s one thing that I don’t do. I don’t care. I’m not ashamed of me. That week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I don’t take a shower,” he narrated.

“Saturday – that’s when I take a shower for the first time. The majority of the time, I meditate. I pray a lot,” Bradley continued.

Pacquiao, an equally superstitious man, promised to be more aggressive against Bradley and go for a knockout. Bradley, for his part, is out to reaffirm his mastery over the fighting congressman.

“Even though I won, I feel like I lost. This is why it’s so important for me to get back in the ring with Pacquiao,” he said.