Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. during the official weigh in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA
LAS VEGAS — At first glance, the one-pound weight difference seems minimal.
To trained observers, however, there was a distinct disparity in the physiques of Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley when they stood side by side and faced off after Friday’s official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena here.
Pacquiao appeared even leaner and smaller than the 145.5 pounds announced, while Bradley looked bigger and muscular than the 146.5 that registered on the weighing scale.
That’s because Pacquiao ate breakfast and lunch to become heavier for the weigh-in, while Bradley had to shed off six pounds last week to clear the 147-pound welterweight limit.
Their appearances clearly reveal the strategy they wanted to apply for the 12-round HBO pay-per-view bout.
Pacquiao will once again bank on his speed and footwork to pierce Bradley’s defenses with in-and-out lunges.
Bradley, on the other hand, will bulk up further to try to overpower Pacquiao or deflect his attacks by using jabs.
By fight night, Pacquiao may have rehydrated to between 148 to 149 pounds even as Bradley will balloon to nearly 160. By then the weight difference may reach a glaring 12 pounds.
Pacquiao, of course, is no stranger to fighting and beating up bigger fellows.
He came in at 148 pounds when he dismantled Antonio Margarito, who weighed 164, when they tangled for the World Boxing Council super welterweight title six years ago in Arlington, Texas.
In their first showdown in 2012, Pacquiao weighed 147, a pound heavier than Bradley, who was given a bum split decision.
When they collided anew in 2014, both fighters came in light, with Pacquiao at 145 and Bradley a shade heavier at 145.5. Pacquiao was a clear victor in all three judges’ scorecards then.
In his losing effort to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao also registered 145 as against his opponent’s 146.
Pacquiao weighed 143.75 pounds when he virtually toyed with an overmatched Chris Algieri (143.5) to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in Macau.
Though he reigned in the WBO 140-pound division, Bradley was naturally bigger than Pacquiao, who is bloated as a welterweight, needing to eat up to six times a day so as not to be dwarfed by his opponents during the weigh-in.