THIS IS PACQUIAO CALM BEFORE THE STORM?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 25 Mar 2014
BEFORE last Sunday, unbeaten Tim Bradley was, at worst, only daring, taunting Manny Pacquiao over alleged loss of intensity and killer instinct.
Bradley kept crying about Pacquiao?s supposed tameness and timidity-- as evidenced by his soft, compassionate wind-up against the outmatched Brandon Rios in Macau last November?without unnecessarily going out of bounds.
Not that Pacquiao had not acknowledged Bradley?s verbal jabs, because the 8-division world title winner had repeatedly stressed that the original Pacman would promptly be there in their April 12 rematch.
**
Either Bradley had a change of diet or whatever, because he suddenly turned reckless. He stared Pacquiao in the eye during a television face-off in California on Sunday (as neatly narrated by Lem Sattterfield of The Ring) before shrieking in mock disgust:
?The killer instinct, it?s no longer there and he can?t get it back, it?s gone, Manny. You can?t sit there and say certain things that you would like to say because of what you believe in. It?s not there anymore.?
Bradley was, in fact, so incensed he barely missed being malicious in crying Pacquiao has not only lost his killer instinct but, pardon please, his balls as well.
**
Cried Bradley: ?I don?t know how he lost it. Before, he was malicious. Before, he was blazing like, ?I?m going to knock you out, I don?t care.? But now, he?s in a different place. I?m telling you, he?s not the same. He?s not the same, I?m telling you.?
Knowing Pacquiao, he would?ve smoldered inside. He instead kept his cool, before offering a calm reply:
?I pray that God can give me that fire. Another fire, I will pray for that.?
Bradley pushed on.
?Do you think that it?s gone? Do you think that it?s still there??
Pacquiao refused to budge.
?I believe that...Absolutely, I can do that in God?s grace. Nothing is impossible with God,? he prayed.
**
Bradley, refusing to be restrained, continued to cry that he would again beat the odds and would do what he had set out to do.
He said Pacquiao can?t expect to win if he can?t knock him out.
Pacquiao said he has only one plan: To throw as many punches as he can.
?I don?t care if the fight is stopped or not. I have to prove that I can still give a good show.?
With all his boastful worth, the unbeaten Bradley, 30, may yet reap the whirlwind.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026