Timothy Bradley should worry
If Manny Pacquiao is now training with the same concentration and passion when he prepared for Brandon Rios, then Timothy Bradley should be worried.
Pacquiao learned his lesson from that less-than-stellar performance against Bradley last time around.
Bradley got the nod of judges who were arguably disappointed with a Pacquiao who could not finish the brave but definitely less talented Bradley.
They gave Pacman a bum decision probably as a lesson. The decision was reassessed and overturned but boardroom results are not the same as ring announcements. But being the sport that he is, Pacquiao took the decision and moved on.
He subsequently lost to nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez via a KO punch that was literally heard around the world.
Taking that in stride as well as part of the game, he went on to teach Rios a neat boxing lesson in Macau. Pacquiao told the world, you’re not done with me yet.
This April, Bradley will be facing this man on a mission. He, too, will be out to prove that his victory over Pacquiao was no fluke. But he will probably be ending up trying too hard.
Although undefeated, Bradley does not possess the furor and excitement of the great champions.
He is a player in this generation of Pacquiao, Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. but not in the same mold as those three. Pacquiao will be too savvy and experienced to be gung-ho and prove his own point. The lessons of the years will tell him to wait.
We will all be probably so impatient that we want Pacquiao to be the old all-cylinder, all-piston firing punching machine.
All what’s necessary is really a performance in the same vein as that of the one against Rios, who could not find the elusive Pacquiao.
Rios was so much younger but it seemed Pacquiao had the more energetic legs and the fresher outlook.
Pacquiao nailed Rios repeatedly with wicked combinations and when the American tried to retaliate, Pacquiao was already out of reach.
We shouldn’t worry too much about Pacquiao winning by knockout. All the boxing pundits will tell you that the knockout is prepared for and presents itself.
Pacquiao will not hesitate this time around when the knockout opens up in order to finish this Bradley business.
As the fight approaches, our media colleagues will again ask me if Pacquiao has lost his killer instinct, edge or desire and if he should already retire.
I will simply say that being the smart fighter that he is, Pacquiao will wage a battle based on his experience, current training and the capability of his body.
Yes, he’s a different fighter with the same awesome power but now fighting with more prudence and discretion.
To all this, Bradley will probably say, “Bring it on!” So be it. He should wage a great fight so people will give him the one thing he craves for: Respect.
