Pacquiao tips scales at 145.5; Bradley pound heavier

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley make weight ahead of their third bout on April 9. photo by Rem Zamora/INQUIRER

LAS VEGAS— Manny Pacquiao tipped the scales at 145.5 pounds while Timothy Bradley came in a pound heavier ahead of their third showdown on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

Pacquiao, who was clad in all blue, was all smiles at the weigh-in Friday and promised anew to give the fans “what they want” on fight night.

“Expect more action in the ring. A better fight than the last two that we had,” Pacquiao said in an interview before a sizeable crowd at the arena.

Several Filipino fans were present to show their support for Pacman, even bringing Philippine flags and banners for the eight-division champion.

Bradley, chiseled as usual, was more subdued, even giving a shrug as he stepped on the scales. He immediately gobbled down a banana after putting his clothes back on.

The five-time world champion, who came with father Timothy Bradley Sr. and trainer Teddy Atlas, said he is taking the opportunity to prove he is the “top pound-per-pound” fighter in the world.

“This is another opportunity to show the fans that I can beat Manny Pacquiao,” Bradley said before thanking the fans.

Pacquiao and Bradley posed for photos with legendary boxing champion Roberto Duran while holding up the the special 12-karat diamond encrusted WBO belt, which is up for grabs in their April 9 bout.

Meanwhile, super middleweights Germany’s Arthur Abraham and Mexico’s Gilberto Ramirez both came in at 168 pounds for the co-main event.

Mexico’s Oscar Valdez, WBO’s no. 1 featherweight champ, tipped the scales at 125.5 pounds, half a pound lighter than Evgeny Gradovich from Russia.

Californian Jose Ramirez weighed in at 138 pounds while challenger Manny Perez from Colorado came in at 137.5.