INDIO, California – In just five weeks, the highly anticipated rematch between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten American Timothy Bradley will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
It is one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year, as boxing analysts suggest it will determine if the “Pacman” still possesses a killer instinct in the ring.
The unbeaten Bradley, who is hard at work in California, is confident he can win convincingly this time around as he already knows what to expect from Pacquiao.
“I’ve already been in the ring with Pacquiao. I know what to expect, I know what I got to do to win the fight,” said Bradley. “I know what he is gonna bring.”
“I know he is gonna try to bring the pressure on me. It’s not gonna work. Right now, it’s not gonna work. He is gonna have to definitely out-think me in there. He has to be a lot faster,” he stressed.
Bradley also claimed that Pacquiao’s performance in his November 2013 bout against Brandon Rios – a wide points win – was not impressive at all.
He pointed to his footwork, speed and boxing IQ as his keys to victory on April 12.
“My footwork will win this fight for me, and my defense,” said Bradley. “The fact that I have speed – you know, Pacquiao doesn’t fight anybody with the same speed as he is. He is a quick fighter, but I’m quick too. I’m just as quick, and I’m smarter than he is.”
Bradley’s win in June 2012 was hotly disputed, which is why he is giving it all in training to defeat the Fighting Congressman again.
“He has to be in very good shape, because like I said, I’m not gonna take no for an answer. I’m gonna win this fight,” said Bradley.
Meanwhile, although the fight is not until next month, race and sports books odds on the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch have already been posted.
Pacquiao is the slight favorite at -180, while Bradley is listed at +160. But Bradley shrugged off his underdog status.
“He was a huge favorite (in the first fight),” Bradley pointed out. “And at the end of the night, I won the fight. I beat him, and nobody was ready for it – not even the oddsmakers.”