PACQUIAO: "I'LL PROVE THE JUDGES WRONG WHEN THEY ROBBED ME OF MY VICTORY AGAINST BRADLEY"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Jan 2014
Saying he is determined to win back the World Boxing Organization welterweight title he unceremoniously lost to American Timothy Bradley two years ago, four-weight category lineal and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao vowed to prepare long and hard to accomplish that.
?If I prepared long and hard in my comeback fight against Brando Rios last November, I will be training as hard or maybe harder this time around,? the fighting Sarangani Congressman vowed to this writer as he virtually confirmed the undefeated belt-holder has been chosen as his next dance partner when he resumes campaigning to regain lost glory on April 12.
?Yes, most-likely si Bradley na,? Pacquiao said in a telephone interview from Cebu where he has been conducting a Bible Crusade for the past two days. ?Not yet official as my promoter (Top Rank?s Bob Arum) has yet to thresh out details, but for me, it?s Bradley already.?
?The final decision lies on me naman, so puede ko nang sabihin na si Bradley na talaga," he assured. ?It?s already a little less than three months na lang at April 12 na, and I have to start training early kaya okay na rin sa akin. February na next week, meaning I have to open camp the second week of that month.?
?Everybody, or almost everybody, anyway, knows I won that fight, and although I accepted the controversial verdict, mas mabuti na rin na patunayan nating nagkamali ang mga huwes sa kanilang desisyon robbing, not only me but the entire boxing world, of a victory,? the 35-year-old who, at first, expressed hesitance to face anew his tormentor, reasoned out.
?I owe it to boxing fans, especially to our countrymen, that I win back the crown and I will do just thatr, I promise,? he said. ?It will be a good fight and closer this time. Tim have improved vastly since we first met and I?m sure he, too, will be proving that his win was no fluke.?
The plan is to start camp in his own Pacman Wild Card sweat shop in hometown General Santos City, stay there for five weeks before moving to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles City owned by his chief trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao, at first, wanted to move the fight in May in deference to wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee?s scheduled giving birth to their fifth child, but Arum has long reserved Las Vegas? MGM Grand for April 12.
?Last week pa naman ng April ang labas ng third baby boy namin kaya okay na rin ang April 12,? Pacquiao said sounding excited. ?Hindi na lang siya makasasama sa Vegas para manood ng fight.?
An extension of Roach?s Wild Card Gym located on Vine St. in the heart of Hollywood, awaits Pacquiao and his team when they move to L.A. Roach bought the former Laundromat property on the ground floor of the two-storey building which he transformed into a compact sweat shop fully equipped with training facilities.
Pacquiao has been in Cebu since Friday where he visited the famous dancing inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center the same day. He conducted Bible Study session as part of his in his continuing religious crusade.
He is flying to Tagbilaran City early today on board a private plane loaned to him by close ally, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis ? Chavit? Singson, also for a Bible sharing session, before returning to GenSan early evening.
Pacquiao is scheduled to appear as guest speaker at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards Night at the Manila Hotel tonight but expressed regret that he could not make it as his religious commitment in Cebu and Bohol have long been set.
He wasn?t able to meet former victim Sugar Shane Mosley who was a Manila visitor last week and was looking forward to seeing him. Mosley though said he understood his tormentor?s busy schedule before flying home Friday night.
Photo: Pacquiao connects at Bradley during their first fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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