Having a career in the ring that spans almost 20 years and 62 bouts Manny Pacquiao says he is still as driven as ever to be the best.
Despite losing two of his last three bouts and speculation from media that he just doesn’t have the killer instinct he once showed earlier in his career, Pacman is ready for his rematch with Timothy Bradley April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“My motivation is the same now as it was when I started my boxing career. I love the competition and I love to win,” Pacquiao said. “When that stops, so does my professional boxing career. But I don’t see that happening for a long time.”
The fact that he is getting another shot at Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs) almost two years after the first bout that saw Bradley come out victorious on the judges’ scorecards despite the majority of the boxing community thinking Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs) won, adds an extra element to win for Pacquiao.
“Because I am facing Tim Bradley again I am extra motivated for this fight. I may not have won the decision the first time we fought but I know I did not lose that fight,” Pacquiao explained. “I want the world title he won from me back around my waist. I want to prove I am the better fighter.”
Putting in work before any bout is crucial to any fighter’s game plan, and this time around hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach and his crew are pushing Pacman to new heights in the gym.
“Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune are asking more from me in this training camp than I have ever given before and as hard as that is to do, I am giving them everything they have asked of me,” Pacquiao said of his training camp. “Too much is at stake for me and for my country. I want to end my career on a winning streak and against the best fighters.”
Although many feel Bradley lost in the first fight with Pacquiao his record officially stands at 31-0 and Pacquiao wants to be the one who hands him the first blemish on his record.
“No one has ever defeated Tim Bradley during his professional career. I want to be the first name in his loss column. It will not be easy,” Pacquiao revealed. “Nothing at the world championship level is easy. I still have the hunger and the desire to win and I appreciate Tim Bradley giving me this rematch to prove it. Unfortunately for him, on April 12, I will not be able to repay him that favor with kindness.”
24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley 2 premieres Saturday, March 29, at Midnight ET/PT on HBO. Show two debuts Saturday, April 5, at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and show three debuts Thursday, April 10, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT two nights before the high stakes welterweight title bout. Pacquiao versus Bradley 2 takes place Saturday, April 12 live on pay-per-view beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
