MANILA, Philippines - Despite criticisms that he’s already lost the appetite for victory, Manny Pacquiao insists on the opposite, raring to prove he still has the competitive edge as he seeks victory against Timothy Bradley on April 12.
In a training blog released by HBO Sports, Pacquiao, already at the twilight of his storied boxing career, said his winning days are far from over.
“My motivation is the same now as it was when I started my boxing career. I love the competition and I love to win. When that stops, so does my professional boxing career,†the fighting congressman stressed.
“But I don’t see that happening for a long time. Because I am facing Tim Bradley again, I am extra motivated for this fight,†he added.
Pacquiao is about two weeks away from getting a chance at payback against Bradley, who controversially defeated him a couple of years ago – a fight the Filipino himself believes he won.
“I may not have won the decision the first time we fought but I know I did not lose that fight. I want the world title he won from me back around my waist. I want to prove I am the better fighter,†Pacquiao continued, referring to the WBO welterweight title that Bradley took from him in June 2012.
Bradley, undefeated in 31 fights, almost saw his record blemished by Pacquiao, Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez. But he managed to stay unbeaten.
Dealing Bradley’s first loss is Pacquiao’s motivation.
“No one has ever defeated Tim Bradley during his professional career. I want to be the first name in his loss column. It will not be easy,†he said. – Dino Maragay/Contributor