MANILA, Philippines - Maliban sa kanyang suot na world welterweight crown, itataya rin ni Manny Pacquiao ang kanyang 16-fight winning streak sa pakikipagsagupa kay Timothy Bradley, Jr. sa Hunyo 9 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sa pagtatapos ng kanilang two-city, coast-to-coast promotional tour kahapon sa Chelsea Piers sa New York City, inamin ni Pacquiao na si Bradley na ang isa sa pinakamabigat niyang makakabangga.
“I consider this fight one of my toughest. Timothy Bradley is undefeated, strong and he can punch,” wika ni Pacquiao, huling natalo noong Marso 2005 kung saan siya binigo ni Mexican Erik Morales via unanimous decision sa kanilang unang paghaharap.
At matapos nito ay dalawang sunod na beses niyang tinalo si Morales.
Inaasahan ni Pacquiao na magiging maaksyon ang kanilang suntukan ng world light welterweight king na si Bradley.
“Bradley’s body is bigger than mine. I think we can make a good fight. That’s why I picked him as an opponent,” wika ng 33-anyos na si Pacquiao sa 28-anyos na si Bradley. “I’m pretty sure we will make a good fight.”
Itataya ni Pacquiao ang kanyang hawak na World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt laban kay Bradley, ang kasalukuyan namang WBO light welterweight titlist.
Nakita si Bradley sa undercard ng ikatlong laban nina Pacquiao at Juan Manuel Marquez noong Nobyembre 12 kung saan niya tinalo si Joel Casamayor via eight-round TKO.
“A lot of Mexican fighters have lost to this guy, and they’re looking for someone that’s friendly and someone that’s humble and someone that’s hungry and someone that’s with them as well, and that’s me,” ani Bradley.