NO FIREWORKS AT PACQUIAO-BRADLEY III FINAL PRESSCON
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 07 Apr 2016
Las Vegas, NV: - For the umpteen time, another press conference was held at the swank theater of the MGM Resort Casino named after a house magician to hype an event that is expected to draw hordes of fans to the Grand Garden Arena on Saturday.
The event was by invitation and only the credentialed media folks were given the honor to attend and share the sumptuous breakfast traditionally provided by the MGM on events such as these - and to listen to the expected never ending ego-boasting flowery words from the promoter Bob Arum and each opposing team representatives.
But this event was different. Every speaker was fluid and one can readily sense the importance of what they say.
Of course, the main event protagonists, Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley, had their turn at the dais too. But unlike many of fighters who take advantage of their time at the microphone to utter not too complimentary words to their opponents and offer boastful predictions they can never keep, Pacquiao and Bradley were gracious and gentlemen par excellence. No sleazy words came off their mouths. On the contrary, they had nothing but praises for each other. Bradley even went out and said that ?only Manny Pacquiao can do right for his country? ? in reference to Pacquiao?s run for the Senate.
Incidentally, the announced odds for the fight, per Lamar Mitchell of the MGM Sports Book are Pacquiao -230 and Bradley +180. Literally two to one odds and as Paco Varcarcel of WBO said, ?pick-?em? fight.
Richard Sturm of HBO announced the PPV rates as at a suggested retail price of $59.95.
A beautiful diamond belt made for WBO will be presented to the winner on Saturday presented by Paco Varcarcel, the WBO President. The belt is in lieu of a title belt since the fight is a ?non-title fight?
Freddie Roach was uncharacteristically mellow simply stating that ?he is saying (Manny) that this maybe his last fight?. He also stated that ?he believes that he is in great shape and is ready more than ever for this fight.?
Teddy Atlas was subdued as well, highlighting his statements by saying that ?I feel confident as you can humanly feel that Tim Bradley will find a way to win as usual?.
Tim Bradley in effect campaigned for Pacquiao?s run for the Senate. ?He is a man of the people, for the people. He is the right man for the job?. But although he wants him to win his Senate seat, Bradley wants to beat Pacquiao on Saturday.
Pacquiao in turn stated that he believes there will be more action in this fight because of Tim?s new coach in Teddy Atlas. ?He is adding more strategy and techniques. That means there will be more action in the ring?
Pacquiao further stated that there was no need to hurl bad words against each other in these types of events. ?We save that for Saturday.?
He also indicated that this fight is not for political gain but is dedicated to the Filipino people.
Then he made a dramatic announcement. Pacquiao declared:- ?(With) All the PPV tickets you buy, I will help the people in the Philippines. ?Now I can announce this?
He said: ?The money you paid to support boxing helped many families in the Philippines. I am happy helping the poor people. There will be a thousand families in the Philippines who will get a house.?
Finally Pacquiao left some good words for everybody. He says ?We should stay humble.?
And the saga continues!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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