From $20 to $20 million, Pacquiao's journey to final payday

LAS VEGAS -- Twenty-one years after clambering through the ropes for his first professional fight, Manny Pacquiao will make the long walk to the ring for what could well be the final time on Saturday in Las Vegas.

It will complete one of the most vivid rags-to-riches journeys in a sport that is famous for them, an odyssey which has taken him from a $20 purse to a reported $20 million payday for this weekend's finale against Tim Bradley.

A lot has changed for Pacquiao since January 25 1995, when as a skinny 16-year-old he outpointed Edmund Enting Ignacio in a four-round bout before a few hundred spectators on the wild and rugged Philippines island of Mindoro.

Pacquiao traveled to that fight by ferry, buying his own ticket for the three-hour boat ride from Manila for a contest which earned him 1,000 pesos, approximately $21 dollars at today's rate of exchange.

"It was very small," Pacquiao recalled here Wednesday as he prepared for his third and final meeting with Bradley.

"But it was my desire to box. At that time I boxed because I wanted to help my mother, and my family."

- 'We had no money' -

Boxing provided Pacquiao with an escape from crushing poverty.

"We had no money. I was the breadwinner. I helped send my brother to school, I worked at boxing," he said.

"I loved doing it because I was helping my family. When you have nothing you don't care how hard the work is."

Since that meager first purse, Pacquiao's fights have generated an estimated $500 million, swollen by his cut from last year's money-spinning "Fight of the Century" against Floyd Mayweather which ended in defeat.

Pacquiao will bank another bumper paycheck this weekend.

Even allowing for the fact that Saturday's bout has struggled to generate the crackle of anticipation that surrounded his iconic battles with the likes of Mayweather, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao remains big box office.

Bob Arum, the legendary 84-year-old promoter, pinpoints Pacquiao's narrative arc as the source of the Filipino's enduring appeal.

"He's just a great story," Arum said. "A rags to riches story. A kid from the streets of the Philippines, lived in a cardboard shack. Worked his way up, comes to the United States ... becomes one of the biggest fighters of our time.

"I was in boxing for a long time before Manny arrived. I remember all the Filipinos. Some of them were good. Some were OK. None of them were great. Manny is great."

- A stained legacy? -

Yet the final phase of Pacquiao's career has been overshadowed by an ugly controversy the devoutly religious fighter ignited in February when he asserted that homosexuals were "worse than animals."

Those comments, just months after same-sex marriage was legalized in the United States, triggered a wave of revulsion and have threatened to leave an indelible stain on Pacquiao's legacy.

Sponsors led by Nike swiftly cut their ties, and Pacquiao was reminded of the deep anger caused by his comments on Sunday when he was verbally abused by a man outside a restaurant in Los Angeles.

Even Arum could not hide his dismay at the controversy.

"There are people who hold sincere religious beliefs against same sex marriage and homosexuality," Arum said.

"The problem is that Manny didn't leave it there. He made analogies to try and justify his position, and those analogies got him in trouble because they're very hurtful. And they're wrong."

Pacquiao insists the controversy has not distracted him from the job in hand, and he remains focused on Bradley and his own burgeoning political career.

Pacquiao's determination to help the poor in his homeland has been a central theme of his pursuit of public office.

Elected to the country's congress in 2010, he is running for a seat in the country's Senate in polls next month.

"I'm taking this fight and then going back to the Philippines to focus on politics, to help the poor people," Pacquiao said.

Both Arum and Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach have expressed scepticism however that the fighter will stay retired.

"I still think he has a lot left in him," Roach said.

"There's some interesting fights out there."

Arum agreed.

"I think if he wins this fight well, he's going to find a way to continue," he said.

"If you've been doing something and doing something well since you were seven or eight years old it's a tough thing to give up."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Koncz assures Pacquiao still motivated to fight

Just because he has announced his retirement doesn’t mean Manny Pacquiao is no longer motivated to win in his farewell fight.

On the contrary, his adviser Michael Koncz said Pacquiao is already raring to go back to training to ensure a memorable final fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9.

“He told me that when he gets back from the press tour, he will begin training,” Koncz told Boxing Scene after his heart-to-heart talk with the fighting congressman.

The Canadian adviser wanted to check if Pacquiao still has in his heart to slug it out for 12 more rounds even as the Filipino boxer prepares to run for senator this May.

But Pacquiao assured him that he would be practically distraction-free when he starts training after the press tour in the US.


“I think that he will be going to the gym before the end of the month,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao will split his training camp between the Philippines and Los Angeles. The Bradley fight is supposedly his last before focusing on politics full time.

"He's always given us everything that he's ever had," Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum said of Pacquiao at a press conference in Los Angeles. "If this is truly the last time, Manny, it's been a great ride, and I want to thank you for everything."

Pacquiao, for his part, said he is happy with his decision to retire.

"I've been boxing more than 20 years, and I think it's enough for me," he said. "After this fight, I'm going to hang up my gloves and focus on my countrymen, to help the people."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao gets his revenge, outpoints Bradley

Filipino superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao outpointed Timothy Bradley Jr. over the course of 12 rounds to avenge a controversial loss and hand the American his first-ever career defeat Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).

Pacquiao, the former pound-for-pound king of boxing and eight-division world champion, made sure that there would be no doubts this time as he won a clear decision, 116-112, 116-112, and 118-110, to regain the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title that he lost to the American in June 2012.

“I had to do more (in this fight), it’s very different (from) the first fight,” admitted Pacquiao. “He improved a lot. He showed his toughness. I hit him with solid punches, but he’s still standing.”

Bradley had controversially defeated Pacquiao when they first fought two years ago, claiming a split decision that was widely criticized by boxing analysts and fans.

Most boxing experts expected the rematch to be a toss-up, however, as Bradley had shown great improvement since the 2012 showdown, while the 35-year-old Pacquiao was no longer at his physical prime.

But after a scary moment in the fourth round when Pacquiao was rocked by a Bradley right hand, the “Pacman” seized control of the bout, using his footwork, skills and punching power to outwork Bradley most of the second half of the 12-rounder.

“He’s the better fighter tonight,” conceded Bradley, who lost for the first time in 32 fights and revealed that he fought from the first round on with a right calf injury. “That’s what it is.”

“He has impeccable timing, great footwork. He’s very coordinated and he has tremendous punching power,” added the American. “He stunned me a couple of times, but I held on.”

Pacquiao’s record improved to 56 wins, five losses and two draws, with 38 wins coming by way of knockout.

Fourth-round scare

The first three rounds were close affairs, with both fighters feeling each other out with jabs to start. Pacquiao landed the first significant shots of the fight with straight rights in the opening round, though Bradley was able to counter with shots to the body.

Bradley showed his willingness to exchange punches with the “Pacman,” but absorbed several power shots in the process, especially in the second round. The American fired back in the fourth round, however, landing a right hand on Pacquiao’s face that clearly dazed the Filipino idol.

“He got me in the fourth round, a solid punch, a right hook,” Pacquiao admitted after the fight. “But I listened to my corner, to Freddie Roach. (He told me) hands up, timing, and don’t just counter him.”

Pacquiao was on the defensive end for most of the fourth round as Bradley continued to pressure him, but the “Pacman” rallied in the fifth with eye-catching combinations.

By the sixth round, the Filipino was able to trap Bradley against the ropes and unload punches, finally showing the aggressiveness that he promised to showcase ahead of the fight.

Bradley tried to showboat in the middle rounds, repeatedly shaking his head even as he absorbed punches from Pacquiao while trapped against the ropes. But the repeated punishment clearly took its toll on the American boxer, who no longer moved as well in the final four rounds.

Pacquiao’s best round came in the seventh, when he pinned Bradley to the ropes and unleashed a flurry of punches. Bradley, still showboating, egged him on, and Pacquiao paused for a moment before unloading more shots, including a left hand that clearly stunned the American.

With Pacquiao controlling the pace of the fight, Bradley resorted to swinging wild punches, often missing widely with overhand rights that he said were part of their game plan.

“I was trying to time him over the top,” Bradley explained. “I was trying to throw something over the top while he’s throwing.”

Bradley had some bright moments in the ninth round, landing combinations to Pacquiao’s chin, but his wild punches mostly met air and the “Pacman” kept pushing him against the ropes, leaving the American with no choice but to clinch in order to avoid more punishment.

“I had to throw a lot of punches, too,” Pacquiao said. “He was throwing a lot of punches. I was very careful to throw a lot of punches, because his punches were all over, on the outside. I’m throwing inside punches.”

The bout was briefly stopped towards the end of the final round when a small cut opened up above Pacquiao’s left eye, but the doctors let the bout continue with just seconds to go. Bradley did his best to attack the “Pacman,” but it was for naught.

“I tried, I really tried,” said Bradley. “I wanted that knockout. Manny’s a great fighter, maybe one of the best ever. I lost to one of the best.”

Journey continues

Pacquiao, who had to face repeated questions about his killer instinct and competitive spirit leading up to the rematch, said his victory proved that his career was far from done.

“I proved tonight that my journey in boxing will continue,” said Pacquiao, to the cheers of over 15,000 fans in attendance.

It was Pacquiao’s second consecutive unanimous decision win since his two-fight losing streak in 2012. He was knocked out by great Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December of that year after already losing to Bradley.

“I’m very happy, because I wasn’t discouraged by my loss to Marquez. I continued my journey in boxing,” said Pacquiao, who said he will welcome any opponent but left the negotiations again to his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank.

“My job is to fight in the ring. Any opponent,” he said. “A couple more years. I can still fight.”

Bradley, who was gracious in the face of his first-ever loss, said there was nothing for him to do but continue to work.

“I lost one fight,” Bradley said. “I’m gonna go back to the gym and get better.” -- With reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley has no knockout power vs Pacquiao

MANILA – Sports columnist Recah Trinidad expects an interesting match on Sunday (Saturday in the US) when Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley face-off again for the welterweight title.

Trinidad said the fight could go the stretch before it goes to Pacquiao either by decision or by knockout, as he proves he is truly the stronger fighter and should have won the first time.

"All points lead to a possible Manny win either by knockout or by points. Mas malamang mag-12 rounds. He's not supposed to jumpstart. Pag nagpilit ka ng maaga, ang tendency mawawala yung breathing. Yun ang nangyari sa kanya nung nakaraan," Trinidad said.

Trinidad added retirement is out of the picture for Pacquiao for now.

He also believes that Bradley, despite his posturing, does not have the power to knock-out the Pacman.

"Walang knock out power yung kabila. He's a push puncher. Sabi nila may secret weapon. Di ko naman alam saan kukunin yon. You can't develop a knock-out punch instantly. Ano yung secret weapon? Siguro magdadagdag ng paang tatakbo. If Bradley can be as sharp as he talks, I hope he's able to convert his anxiety into a fighting skill," he said.

On Friday (Saturday in Manila), the two boxers made weight for their rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao, Bradley seek to erase doubts

LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley go into their welterweight world title rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas aiming to lay the ghost of their polarizing first contest.

"I've got to knock him out, that's what I have to do," Bradley said Friday at a raucous weigh-in on a stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

California's "Desert Storm" Bradley seized the World Boxing Organization belt from the Philippine icon with a narrow split decision that many believed the American didn't deserve in June 2012.

Although Pacquiao took the defeat in stride, he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in his next fight, and is out to prove his subsequent lopsided decision over Brandon Rios marked the start of another illustrious chapter in his storied career.

Conversely, another defeat to Bradley would see fresh calls for the 35-year-old Pacquiao to quit the sport.

Pacquiao weighed in at 145 pounds (65.77 kg), to the cheers of an adoring crowd.

He struck a pose on the scales as Philippine flags waved, while Bradley feigned shock at being greeted with boos on homesoil.

- 'Let's do this' -

The usual stare-down had a good-natured feel, and Pacquiao exited the stage with a blown kiss for his fans.

"Let's do this," Pacquiao declared. "I'm excited."

Bradley, who has twice defended the title he snatched from Pacquiao, tipped the scale at 145.5 pounds.

Pacquiao, a congressman beloved in his homeland, brings a record of 55-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts to the bout.

Bradley boasts a record of 31-0 with 12 knockouts, but despite his unbeaten status and champion's belt, he has taken second billing to Pacquiao in this showdown.

Both men will make $6 million (4.3 million euros) from the fight, according to official documents filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but charismatic promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao is guaranteed $20 million once all the revenues are totted up.

Bradley, 30, says he doesn't care. He knows Pacquiao is the bigger draw, but he says "Pacman" is on the down slope of a professional career that stretches back to 1995.

"I think he may lack fire," the dogged American said. "His motivation is not there. He's been at the top for a very long time. He has over 60 fights in the ring with all the best. Maybe this is one fight too late for him."

That kind of talk has only strengthened Pacquiao's resolve, according to trainer Freddie Roach, who nevertheless knows that Bradley can't be taken lightly.

"Bradley is a better fighter than some people give him credit for, and we know he has a lot of heart," Roach said. "That doesn't change the fact that Manny has a plan that will beat him again -- this time for real."

The American followed up his win over Pacquiao with his best year, out-pointing Ruslan Provodnikov in a 12-round slugfest then gaining a decision over Marquez.

- 'He'll fight back' -

Bradley displayed solid tactical skills against Marquez, but Roach thinks that once he tastes Pacquiao's power he'll revert to the undisciplined street style that let him in for such punishment against Provodnikov.

"It's part of his nature," Roach said. "Once you hit Bradley, he'll fight back."

Bradley says he's prepared, no matter how the fight evolves.

"I've got so many dimensions," Bradley said. "I may fight with him, I may outbox him."

But Roach thinks Bradley was left vulnerable after suffering a concussion in the bruising encounter with Provodnikov -- and the memory of that tear-up might make him think twice on Saturday.

"Hopefully, when Manny starts throwing combinations, he'll be reminded of that," Roach said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley contemplated suicide after 'dubious' win

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Fans trooped to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) track bright and early to make sure they catch the Pacman one last time in his morning workout around the track.

One group made the trip all the way from New Jersey.

One Pacquiao supporter who traveled from Italy just had surgery and was still in a wheelchair, but didn't let that stop him from seeing the Filipino boxing superstar.

"I'm in pain but I can manage," he said. "Basta si Pacman."

Manny went through his signature shadow drills that showed just how fast he intends to be on the ring against Bradley.

Coach and good buddy Buboy Fernandez is very excited about the rematch because he sees the old tenacious Pacquiao, hungry for the win.

"Makikita mo naman sa mata ng ating Pambansang Kamao na ibang Manny Pacquiao itong haharapin ni Bradley," said Fernandez.

"Paliliguan natin siya ng maraming suntok."

Pacquiao is determined to get back his belt for country and family.

"Jimuel, Michael... I miss you guys, God Bless us. I love you very much," said Pacquiao.

Bradley also did some training, some satellite interviews, and was seen on the Playstation.

For Bradley, this is the fight he has been waiting for, to prove to boxing fans his first win against Pacquiao wasn’t a fluke.

Bradley admitted winning the first time turned out to be the beginning of the worst of his life as he received all sorts of criticisms and death threats. He was so depressed at one point, he contemplated suicide.

"I know myself as a man now, going through all the controversy. But my lowest point was I even thought about suicide. I will never take my own life, I got loved ones but it's like doing a job and not getting paid for. The worst thing that happened was the death threat… that was the last straw for me. The death threats and the letters that got sent to my home," said Bradley.

Two years later, he is actually thankful of that low point because it made him dig deep into himself.

He trained harder than ever, changed his perspective and after two wins against Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuem Marquez, he says he’s at the peak of his career.

"I know who I am. [I told myself] ‘You can comeback and you can comeback even stronger this time, you’re gonna show the world what you're made of. I fought Ruslan Provodnikov, who is a tough, tough fighter. Then I fought Marquez who knocked out Pacquiao. I outboxed him and now he's back, I'm fighting Manny Pacquiao again," said Bradley.

Pacquiao did an hour of light workout in the afternoon then stayed in his suite the rest of the evening, singing praise and leading a prayer.

Manny then had a full dinner and doesn’t see any problem for the weigh in tomorrow.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao and Bradley ready for rematch

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley said Wednesday they are ready for a historic fight as they make final preparations for their rematch later this week in Las Vegas.

At a news conference at the MGM Grand Hotel both fighters and their teams made clear how important this fight is to their careers after the controversial split decision in June of 2012 that gave the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt to Bradley.

"This fight is very important to me and to my boxing career and of course my opponent also is claiming that this fight also very important so it's going to be a very, very good fight on Saturday," Pacquiao told reporters.

Bradley says he's thankful that Pacquiao is giving him another chance in the ring.

"I want to thank Pacquiao for giving me another shot and another chance, to prove to all the fans around the world that I'm a true champion, I'm a true fighter, and that I'm the world champ here," Bradley said.

Pacquiao, a congressman in the Philippines, (55-5-2 38 knockouts) is now 35 years old and will also be looking to prove that he can still deliver a dominating performance while 30-year-old Bradley (31-0-0 12 knockouts) will try to prove that he deserves the belt when they meet Saturday April 12.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao determined to make it right in Las Vegas

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in almost two years, Manny Pacquiao will be fighting in Las Vegas again.

The 8-division former world champion told veteran boxing scribe Eddie Alinea of Philboxing that he is both sad and happy to return to Las Vegas.

"[I'm] sad because it is that venue where I met back-to-back defeats for the first time in my boxing career, lost my welterweight title, and broke a 15-fight winning streak," Pacquiao said.

He was referring to his losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, the two boxers he fought in 2012.

Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight crown to Bradley via a controversial decision in June 2012. Six months later, he received a devastating knockout at the hands of Marquez.

Pacquiao now has the chance to make it right at the very same place where he suffered his losses.

"I am also happy because despite the setbacks, I am again given the opportunity to make up for that and move on," he said.

"Tingin ko naman, after two years, I have already bounced back from that debacle in order continue pursuing the thing I love doing most."

He started his comeback when he fought Brandon Rios in Macau last November. He gave the sluggish Mexican-American a boxing clinic and earned his first victory in three fights.

But the real test will be against Bradley, whom he will face in a rematch this weekend.

During their first encounter, the American used his slick boxing skills to earn the judges’ nod and edge Pacquiao via split decision.

The fighting congressman is determined not to let that happen again. Pacquiao said the second Bradley fight will signal his rise from adversity.

"This is the beauty engaging in a profession in sports, maging boksing o ano pa man," he said.

"Sa sports, you can learn to rise from one adversity to another. Kahit ano pang mangyaring di kanais-nais sa buhay mo, makababalik at makababalik ka. Kasama kasi sa disiplina sa sports yan."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao may retire if Bradley wins again

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is in a “must-win” situation, according to Hall-of-Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach, with less than a week to go before taking on unbeaten American Timothy Bradley Jr. in a rematch.

Pacquiao controversially lost to Bradley when they first fought in June 2012, and will be the challenger when he steps into the ring on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“This is a must-win situation on Saturday night,” Roach told Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph.

“If we don’t win this fight, we have to consider maybe retirement,” he admitted.

Pacquiao has been facing questions about his boxing future since December 2012, when he was shockingly knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, just months after he lost to Bradley.

He rebounded with a masterful performance against the overmatched Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in November 2013, but Roach acknowledged that there are still those who doubt that the Filipino remains an elite fighter.

“This is a big, big fight for him,” he said. “We are in a must-win situation, it’s as simple as that. Some people think we are all done, and we have to prove that we are not.”

On Monday, Pacquiao said on ANC’s “Headstart” that he still has something left to prove and insisted that he alone will decide on his retirement.

“(Kailangan) patunayan na hindi pa tapos ‘yung career natin,” said Pacquiao, who for a time was the pound-for-pound king of boxing.

“Ayokong mag-retiro ng maaga, tapos babalik ako later on. Gusto ko, sulit. Pag retiro, retiro na, wala ng balikan. Ako naman ang magsasabi na ‘I think I have to hang up my gloves,’” said the Filipino idol.

Pacquiao insisted that he does not yet feel the need to retire, as he is still hungry to compete and still looks forward to the daily grind of training.

“Training lang naman ang capital ng boxing. Kapag dumating ang time na medyo tamarin ka na, eh medyo mag-isip-isip ka na,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley will be fighting the 'best Pacquiao'

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao welcomes the barbs of unbeaten American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. ahead of their welterweight rematch on April 12 in Las Vegas.

Bradley had spurred Pacquiao to show “no compassion” when they face off again, two years after Bradley controversially beat Pacquiao via split decision.

“I’m so fired up, I’m so determined. Manny Pacquiao gotta kill me to stop me,” Bradley said.

Speaking to PhilBoxing, Pacquiao assured his supporters that Bradley “will get what he wants.”

“He will be fighting the best Manny Pacquiao in a long time, because I will be stepping up that ring well-prepared and very determined to prove to all who really won our first encounter two years ago,” said Pacquiao.

“I have been training long and hard for this fight to win back the title that was unceremoniously taken away from me,” he added, referring to the WBO welterweight belt that he dropped to the American.

“I intend to do that for all the boxing fans who also thought I won the first fight, and especially to my countrymen.”

Pacquiao, who is in Los Angeles for the second phase of training camp, welcomes the news that Bradley has been preparing hard for their showdown.

“I know Bradley is also preparing hard, like me, (because) he also wants to prove something. Well and good. Ang ibig sabihin, laban din siya,” said Pacquiao. “So maganda ‘yan para sa mga boxing fans, matutuwa sila.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley goes vegan ahead of Pacquiao fight

LAS VEGAS – There are three weeks to go before the highly anticipated rematch between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr., and the unbeaten American is ramping up his preparation for the rematch.

Bradley is not only intensifying his physical conditioning, but also his nutrition. “Desert Storm” said he does not need a “special juice” to make him strong as he enters the fifth week of his training camp.

“I don’t need special juices or special drinks to perform or give me the confidence,” he said.

“It’s fantastic being a vegan. You know, the first couple of weeks, when you’re used to eating meat and you stop eating meat, it could be hard,” Bradley admitted. “But after a while, you tend to don’t eat it and don’t want.”

“Getting in shape, you feel better. You could wake up in the morning and you don’t feel tired or sluggish. I have tons of energy during the day. I feel clean, I just feel healthy,” he added.

Bradley vows that his conditioning will surprise fight fans, and promises that his rematch with Pacquiao will be among the most unforgettable fights in the history of the sport.

For Bradley, the fight on April 12 gives him a chance to prove that he won the first fight against Pacquiao. But he emphasized that the Filipino legend needs to prove to the world that he still has the punch and moves of a true champion.

“I’m destined for this, this is my destiny,” said Bradley. “This is what God has planned for me to do. The stage is even brighter now than before. Everything is built up now. This fight is the super fight – it’s bigger than the first fight.”

Meanwhile, as the fight draws nearer, both camps are progressing in their training – Pacquiao in Los Angeles, and Bradley in Indio.

Bradley’s camp confirmed that the boxer is now sparring with three sparring partners, and is currently working on developing his stamina.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao shocked by Bradley's pre-fight ritual

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao was a picture of disbelief when he was asked to comment about Timothy Bradley's strange ritual of avoiding a shower the week leading to a fight.

The Filipino boxer knitted his brows and rolled his eyes sideways, apparently thinking if the reporter was asking him the right question.

“Grabe naman ‘yun... sobra,” was Pacquiao’s initial reaction.

The Sarangani congressman then came up with a safe answer even as he stressed the importance of proper hygiene.

“No comment ako dyan... kelangan maligo para hindi ka mabaho,” he said while smiling.

In an interview with ABS-CBN North America Bureau’s Bev Llorente, Bradley revealed that he has consistently avoided bathing during the week leading to a fight.

“I don't know why... that's one thing I don't do. The week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I don't take a shower. Saturday, that's when I take a shower for the first time,” he said while taking a break from training.

Pacquiao and Bradley are scheduled to face off for the second time on April 12. At stake in the rematch will be Bradley’s WBO welterweight crown.

Pacquiao’s assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez said the Filipino boxer looked impressive during Tuesday’s training.

He said Pacquiao did 15 full rounds of punch mitts, which is a tiring routine for boxers.

“[‘Yung] punch mitts kumbaga pinakamahirap sa lahat ng gagawin yun eh, nasorpresa kami kasi umabot kami ng 15 rounds… pinakamahirap sa lahat ng gagawin ng boksingero ‘yung susuntok sa punch mitts kasi puro power punches tapos yung ipinakita kanina iba naman,” said Pacquiao’s close friend.

“’Yung improvement na ipinakita niya kanina sa punch mitts masasabi natin na nasa 80-90 percent [conditioning] tayo ngayon. So ang sa atin, imaintain na lang natin ang conditioning,” he added. -- From a report by Francis Canlas, ABS-CBN Gensan

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao bloodies sparring partner's nose

MANILA, Philippines -- Manny Pacquiao's first sparring session for the Timothy Bradley fight went pretty well.

In fact, he already bloodied the nose of his sparring partner, Lydell Rhodes, during their four-round session in General Santos City on Tuesday.

“Medyo nasaktan ata ‘yung sparring partner natin kasi parang sinalo ata lahat ng kaliwa ni [Pacquiao] eh,” Pacquiao’s assistant trainer and close friend, Buboy Fernandez, said in an interview with ABS-CBN GenSan’s Jay Dayupay.

Rhodes, who has previously worked with Floyd Mayweather Sr., tried to mimic Bradley’s boxing style. Unfortunately, he got tagged repeatedly by Pacquiao’s power shots.

“Kanina nakita ko na medyo nasaktan kasi may tumulong kulay pula sa ilong nya, so maganda ang resulta [para kay Pacquiao]. Makikita mong agresibo ang ating Pambansang Kamao,” said Fernandez.

Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, arrived in General Santos City on Monday to begin training the Filipino boxer.

Fernandez said Roach wanted to check if the Filipino superstar is conditioned enough to begin sparring.

“Dumating si Coach Freddie, na-meet niya, nakita na ang kundisyon niya, tinanong kung pwede nating i-sparring. Sabi ko subukan nating simulan ng mga three to four rounds. So kanina naganap 'yung first sparring natin,” narrated the assistant trainer.

Pacquiao will try to reclaim the WBO welterweight belt which was snatched away by Bradley during their first meeting in 2012.

The fight is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on April 12.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach warns Bradley about engaging Pacquiao

If Timothy Bradley decides to slug it out with Manny Pacquiao, he will get hurt.

This is why boxing coach Freddie Roach plans to have Pacquiao corner and pressure the WBO welterweight titlist to make mistakes.

"He's a good boxer but sometimes he tends to get into a fight, and that's when he mistakes, because he likes to exchange sometimes,” Roach told The Sweet Science.

The trainer said that’s what happened when his fighter Ruslan Provodnikov engaged Bradley in a slugfest. Although the Russian lost by points, he got Bradley hurt in the final round.

Roach said they plan to do the same when Pacquiao meets the American boxer on the April 12 rematch.

“When he exchanges with Manny, Manny is the better, faster puncher, and the better puncher of the two, and like Ruslan was, and he'll be able to hurt him,” he said.

But Roach is also aware that Bradley might choose to play safe and try to win by points again.

Although he is confident that Pacquiao can win a tactical match, he said he is afraid that the fight would turn out boring.

“If he runs the whole night long, then he'll make it a little bit of a boring fight. But it's hard to a win backing up so there will be points where he'll have to exchange with us, and we're going to have the advantage, I think," said Roach.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao-Bradley judge defends scorecard

MANILA, Philippines – One of the judges in the controversial World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title bout between Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao and American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. has spoken out to defend his scorecard.

Bradley was outpunched, outlanded and generally dominated by Pacquiao through most of their 12 round encounter last Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila).

Despite this, the unbeaten American was shockingly named the winner via split decision, with scores of 113-115, 115-113, and 115-113.

One of the judges who scored it for Bradley, Duane Ford, spoke with the Las Vegas Review-Journal to defend the way he scored the bout.

"I thought Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson," he told writer Steve Carp. "I thought a lot of the rounds were close. Pacquiao missed a lot of punches and thought he was throwing wildly."

Carp said CJ Ross, the other judge who scored the fight for Bradley, did not return calls seeking comment.

Only Jerry Roth scored the bout in Pacquiao's favor.

"I'm looking for effective aggressiveness. I thought Pacquiao won a lot of the early rounds, and I thought Bradley came on in the end. That's why I gave Bradley the last three rounds," Roth said.

"But I still thought Pacquiao had done enough to win," he added.

The judges were roundly criticized by Top Rank boss Bob Arum, who called them the "three blind mice" in the post-fight press conference.

Arum said the decision was "ridiculous" and signaled a "death knell" for boxing. The promoter even offerered to have the judges fly to Los Angeles to get their eyes checked by his own doctor.

But Ford defended himself, saying, "This wasn't an 'American Idol' contest."

"If I judge for the people, I shouldn't be a judge," he said.

Pacquiao has been gracious in defeat, saying in numerous interviews that he respected the judges decision, but at the same time insisting that he is the real winner.

Bradley, for his part, said there should be a rematch in November so there can be a more decisive result.

"What do you want me to do? There were three judges and they saw it the way they saw it. We definitely need to do this again in November and make it more decisive for everyone," he said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Before Pacquiao fights, his protegé Kirby Asunto will sing

As the Pacquiao-Bradley bout nears, netizens have been abuzz not only about the fight itself but about the featured personalities who will be singing during the event: Jessica Sanchez for the American anthem and Kirby Asunto for the Philippine anthem.

While Sanchez has become a household name after becoming the first runner-up in "American Idol," many Filipinos have been wondering who Asunto is.

A Filipino-American, Asunto was personally selected by Manny Pacquiao to sing the Philippine national anthem during his match against undefeated American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr.

Filipino-American-Mexican Sanchez, 16, will first sing the American national anthem during the opening ceremonies of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. Asunto, 14, will follow, singing the Philippine national anthem “Lupang Hinirang.”

In an email to GMA News Online, Asunto's publicist Elton Lugay, also a stringer for
GMA News in New York, explained that the young singer was a "niece of Manny's cousin, his mother's side."

Lugay said Pacquiao's cousin hails from Inopacan in Leyte, hometown of the congressman's mother Dionisia.

Asunto's grandmother "is also from Inopacan, Leyte," Lugay explained.

On Asunto's Twitter account, her fan Lira wished her luck on her performance during the boxing megafight this Saturday (Sunday morning in the Philippines): “When you sing tomorrow, May the Odds be ever in your Favor @kirbyasunto :) God bless yah.”



Asunto was introduced by the eight-division world champion during a press preview last February when Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee said they had big plans for Asunto who signed a contract under Pacquiao’s talent management company.

“We are committed to help Kirby reach greater heights in her career. We don’t expect much in return. Happy kami that we have the opportunity to help her,” Jinkee said.

Pacquiao first heard Asunto’s voice during the celebration of the Holy Mass before his most recent match against Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez last year which Pacquiao won.

Asunto also performed during Pacman's victory concert after the Pacquiao-Marquez bout.

On May 20 in Manhattan, New York, Asunto performed with Arnel Pineda, the Filipino front man of the legendary American band Journey.

Some of Asunto's other notable achievements include being a:

• Winner – Child Access Broadway, regional and national levels
• Grand Champion – Philippine Fiesta Idol, Seacaucus, NJ, junior level
• Final three – NY Knicks Kidzbop Sports Talent Jam at MSG

According to a report of the entertainment site Broadwayworld.com on June 4, Asunto ("Child Access Broadway") and other Broadway stars such as Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, and "GMA Pinoy TV talents Dingdong Dantes and Aljur Abrenica headlined the Philippine Independence Day Council’s (PIDCI) well attended 114th Philippine Independence Parade and cultural show held on Madison Avenue Sunday afternoon."

The event, attended by around 100,000 people, was the “biggest celebration of Philippine independence outside of the Philippines,” Broadwayworld.com said.

Asunto was born in the Philippines but her family migrated to the US in 2006.

According to her official Facebook page, she has shown great interest in music since the age of two.

Asunto then joined her first singing contest without the knowledge of her parents while she was in nursery school.

Her parents had no clue that their daughter could already compete in a singing contest.

Asunto has since joined several contests and taken voice classes to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer.

Apart from this, she has been giving back to the Fil-Am community by singing in different fundraisers in the United States.


You can view Kirby’s performances of the American national anthem “Star Spangled Banner” on her official YouTube channel. - VVP/HS, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com