LAS VEGAS—It’s high afternoon and there was a breeze, but it was scorching hot at the Top Rank Gym here.
Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, and Freddie Roach were rehearsing the final moves needed to overcome challenger Timothy Bradley on Saturday night.
Ignoring the 37-degree Celsius temperature, Pacquiao showed Roach the punches he’d unleash, depending on Bradley’s stance.
The Fighter of the Decade also demonstrated the counterpunches he will throw when Bradley swings and misses.
Having crafted the fight script for eight weeks, Pacquiao and Roach worked in perfect harmony doing choreographed routines.
Satisfied that Pacquiao was already in peak form, Roach cut short the training session which he described simply as “great.”
Pacquiao, who Roach said weighed 146 lb before the workout, is ready for Bradley, the freshest guy he will face in recent years.
“He’ll probably be between 145 and 146 Friday,” said Roach, who will be assisted on fight night by Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez, strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza and cutman Miguel Diaz. “Manny’ll be between 148 to 149 on fight night.”
Among the spectators were Jeric Soriano, Pacquiao’s spiritual adviser, and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.