Bradley now better than before – Arum

LAS VEGAS – In the eyes of boxing promoter Bob Arum,  Timothy Bradley is a changed man.

Arum noted that Bradley who won a highly disputed decision over Manny Pacquiao in June 2012 is not the same boxer that will climb the ring on Saturday.

A lot of things have happened since 2012.

“He’s a much more confident fighter now than he was in the first fight,” Arum said of Bradley, now 30 years old and undefeated in 31 professional fights.

Arum was at the grand lobby of the MGM Grand waiting for Pacquiao Tuesday noon when he spoke of Bradley.

The American boxer, who feels he didn’t earn the respect of the boxing public after the controversial win over Pacquiao, has a lot to prove in this fight.

Bradley’s victories over Russian slugger Ruslan Provodnikov and Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez last year made him look better coming to his rematch with Pacquiao.

“He’s had two tremendous victories since the first fight,” said Arum.

Pacquiao, in contrast, is on a roller-coaster ride. After his loss to Bradley, he got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao stayed off the ring for nearly a year then reminded everyone that he’s still around when he outclassed Brandon Rios in Macau last November.

No one can disagree that Bradley is now a better fighter than he was then.

He has to show everyone that he truly is.

“Most people thought Manny won that first fight,” said Arum.

“That’s why he has to be more aggressive in this fight,” added the chief of Top Rank Promotions, which handles both Pacquiao and Bradley.

On Saturday, at the Grand Garden Arena, the question will be answered.

“When they go into the ring they have to demonstrate who the better fighter is,” said Arum amid the loud music that preceded Pacquiao’s grand entrance.

“On Saturday we will know who the better fighter is,” he said.