EXPECT A STRONGER, BETTER PACQUIAO (PHOTOS)
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Apr 2014
LOS ANGELES -- A Manny Pacquiao who is much, much better than the one who started an awesome 15-fight winning streak the past decade is what the entire boxing world will see when he fights Timothy Bradley on April 12 (April 13 in Manila) at the MGM Grand ARena in Las Vegas.
The Filipino ring icon himself assured yesterday after his side's media workout held at the world-famous Freddie Roach-owned Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
"Mas maganda ang kondisyon ko ngayon mula nang matalo ako kay (Erik) Morales noong 2005 para maging kaunanahang boksingero na manalo ng walong kampeonato sa walong dibisyon (I feel I"m in a much, much better shape now since I lost to Erik on the way to becoming the the only man in the universe to win eight world championships in as many weight divisions)," Pacquiao told PhilBoxing.com in a separate interview after the press preview held in the jampacked sweat shop owned by chief trainer Freddie Roach.
The 35-year-old former world pound-for-pound best was referring to a 12-round World Boxing Council super- featherweight bout with Mexican legend Erik Morales on March 19, 2005, which he redeemed himself by beating his tormentor twice the following year -- via a 10th round technical knockout win and a third round KO, both in 2006.
In between those encounters, he decisioned Oscar Larios in Manila, won 11 more the next five years, including stoppage triumphs over Jorge Solois, David Diaz,egendary Oscar De la Hoya and Richard Hatton. He also deposed Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manauel Marquez twice, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley in completing a streak broken by a questionable defeat to the same man who would face nine days from today and embarrassing 6th round KO to Marquez, both in 2012.
"Babawiin natin ang dalawang talong yun, pangako ko yun (We will avenge that pair of losses, I promise)," he declared with a naughty smile. "I will win back, not only the title (World Boxing Organization welterweight diadem), but, likewise, the honor and respect all robbed of me by that decision of the judges."
"With the kind of preparation I had undergone, 10 weeks to be exact, and the prayers offered by those who thought I won the frst fight, here's no way I can lose," the three-time 'Fighter of the Year' and 'Fighter of the Decade' honoree averred in what came as the strongest statement he has uttered thus far in his entire career.
Photos by Rupert Wendell Alinea.
"Sarap ng pakiramdam ko, para akong nakalutang sa langit (I feel very good as if I'm hanging in the air)," he said. "The camp is very good and I have to thank everybody in the team, Freddie (Roach), who charted my training regimen and those who ran the camp, Justin (traineer Justin Fortune), Buboy (assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez) and everbody who played their role unselfishly. I take off my hat to them."
"Knockout? All I can say is I trained long and hard for that. Whatever, what I can assure you is the result will not be dependent on anybody but me," he said. "I'm ready to fight, anytime now, even tomorrow," the fighting Congressman from Sarangani Province, said.
Roach, Fortune, even Top Rank bossman Bob Arum, Fernandez, assistant trainer Marvin Somodio, business consultant Mike Koncz, bosom friend and former multi-titled himself Gerry Penalosa and close associate Joe Ramos, who all have been privy to how the General Santos and the Los Angeles camps went.
"Yeah, I've never seen Manny worked so hard in the dozen years we were together. Winning is an under statement. What I can say is he is well-prepared, determined and well-motivated," Roach who did the mitts in the training session that highlighted the media day, said.
"Manny said aggressiveness will be his main weapon," Arum said. "But Manny will more than an aggressor more comes fight night. He will be atop the ring equipped with the arsenal needed to in and win convincingly. The camp went well in no hitches what so ever, everybody did his role without question and with sincerity."
Koncz, for his part, said Pacquiao had been terrific in training. "he is primed, in shape and there will be no excuses whatever happens."
For Fernandez, his boss who lost to Bradley and Marquez in 2012 will not be the same man facing the defending champion on April 12. "Ibang Manny Pacquiao ang nakita ng mga tao nang matalo siya kay Bradley at Marquez. Si Manny Pacquiao na ito who sent De La Hoya, Barrera, Hatton and severasl more to retirement."
"Walang talo," former world bantamweight and super flyweight titlist Penalosa said. "I saw Manny trained and he's awesome in power, speed and all the weapons he used to brandish a decade ago."
"Masaya si Manny at gusto niyang patunayan na siya pa rin ang kampeon, kaya I think Bradley would be in for a tough time," Somodio said getting concurrence from close Pacquiao associate Ramos.
Indeed, Pacquiao was so happy that after the press preview, he offered a handful of friends he treated to a lunch some songs taken from his album. He left his favorite Thai restaurant jumping with joy on the way to attending the taping of the Jimmy Kimmel television program where he was appearing as a guest.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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