Training’s heaven for Pacquiao

LAS VEGAS—Both fighters trained real hard, but passed through them  in contrasting light.

For Timothy Bradley the rigorous preparation was hellish. For Manny Pacquiao it was heavenly bliss.

“Training camp was hell. I’ve never trained as hard as before,” Bradley said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) during the final press conference of the Pacquiao-Bradley tiff for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on Saturday  at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

“Training is amazing, it’s heaven,” retorted Pacquiao, the 33-year-old champion who acknowledged what his unbeaten opponent, being a young, hungry fighter, underwent the past three months.

They agreed, however, that they’re both primed up to do battle for 12 rounds and satisfy the fight fans.

“Let’s get it on boy. It’s gonna be war. I’m ready,” said the 28-year-old Bradley, who tried vainly to intimidate Pacquiao, who’s half an inch taller, with an intense gaze during the face-off.

Pacquiao, however, brushed off Bradley’s antics, including a repeat of what he and his trainer, Joel Diaz, did in Hollywood last week when they presented to the media a supposed poster announcing their rematch on Nov. 10.

The implication, of course, was that Pacquiao, who remains a 4-1 favorite according to chief promoter Bob Arum, would lose and avail of the rematch clause in the fight contract.

Diaz told the media present at the Hollywood Theatre of MGM Grand that they are 100 percent ready and confident of pulling off what could be the upset of the decade.

Like Pacquiao, Hall of Fame-bound trainer Freddie Roach seemed unaffected by the show of bravado by Bradley and his handler.

“We’re looking forward to fighting a resilient, undefeated guy,” Roach said.

Of course, Pacquiao, being an eight-division world champion, a global icon and one of the most influential and richest athletes ever, need not do anything to command attention.

He was introduced as Honorable befitting his position as representative of Sarangani province back home and was likened to Muhammad Ali in the sphere of influence by Arum.

Later, WBO president Paco Valcarcel presented Pacquiao with a diamond ring symbolic of his selection as the best pound-for-pound fighter of his generation.

Pacquiao thanked Valcarcel and then joked that with the ring he can punch heavier.

Later, he obliged the request of photographers and cameramen for him to show the ring.

“The power of the ring,” said Pacquiao, while pointing it to them. Then he thought of an even better line: The Lord of the Ring.