Bradley: Pacquiao best I’ve ever faced

Manny Pacquiao knocks Timothy Bradley down in the ninth round of their fight on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA

LAS VEGAS — Timothy Bradley knew he had to play it smart and be totally focused to be able to solve the Manny Pacquiao riddle Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).

He failed on both counts and Bradley readily admitted that Pacquiao was the smarter and better fighter.

READ: Pacquiao beats Bradley in ‘last fight’

“The best that I’ve ever faced in the ring,” Bradley said during the post-fight press conference.

Already beaten to the punch, Bradley was likewise beaten on the mind game that he’d try to play on Pacquiao.

“He was super smart tonight,” said Bradley. “He was always one step ahead of me.”

Not only that, Pacquiao was also at the right spot, always.

No wonder, Bradley, who promised not to lose his composure throughout, found himself baited into the trap of a dogfight by Pacquiao.

READ: Pacquiao outguns Bradley

Bradley said he was committed for two minutes, but his mind wandered in the third.

“We came up short tonight,” said Bradley, referring to him and chief trainer Teddy Atlas. “Manny was strong and solid. Lots of power, lots of speed.”

One thing that Bradley can’t be accused of not giving his best for the fight that ended their trilogy at 2-1 for Pacquiao officially. It should have even been 3-0 as Bradley got the nod of bum judges in their first fight in 2012.

“I fought the best that I could tonight,” said Bradley. “I wasn’t tired.”

Neither was Pacquiao, who, after a tentative start, revved up his engine.

Outboxing Pacquiao, Bradley took the first and third rounds, only to yield the next five as the Filipino ring icon found his mark.

Pacquiao downed Bradley with a short right and left combination in the seventh round and left no doubt as to the outcome when he send the pride of Palm Springs, California, tumbling in the ninth round.

READ: Bradley ‘loses’ memory of two knockdowns

“He was good at countering me,” admitted Bradley. “Honestly, he was always one step ahead of me. Making me lose my concentration.”

“Manny was very strong, he was also very patient,” said Bradley. ” I wasn’t professional enough to be patient myself. I walked into some shots

According to Bradley, Pacquiao was even better than in their first two encounters.

“He used distance and anticipation this time,” said Bradley.

Following the loss, Bradley said he’s going to take a break for a while before reflecting on his future.

“Take time off with my family. Go to our beach house in San Diego, relax and think about what’s next.”

Bradley need not worry. He’s still superior to a lot of fighters. Except, perhaps, for Pacquiao, who’d painted the two red marks on his checkered career.

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