MANILA, Philippines - These days you can’t talk to Manny Pacquiao without talking about religion.
The reigning WBO welterweight champion talked about hurting Timothy Bradley and yet sounded as the most charismatic athlete in the world today.
“I think we’re both ready,” said Pacquiao, entering his third week of training in Baguio City after going through a handful of rounds of sparring the last couple of days.
Sparring with Russian Ruslan Provonikov will heat up this week. On Thursday, Pacquiao drives down to Manila, and on Saturday he takes the long flight to Los Angeles.
At the Wild Card Gym, chief trainer Freddie Roach will tap a couple of new sparring partners for Pacquiao for the final push toward the June 9 bout in Las Vegas.
Bradley is deep into training as well, somewhere in California, and reports said the other day he did seven four-minute rounds against three sparring partners.
The Boxing Socialist said Bradley’s sparring session was “wildly entertaining and revealed just how primed Bradley is getting with the Pacquiao fight still six weeks away.”
Pacquiao vowed to be at his best, in his old, deadly and destructive ways inside the ring, and that his deep devotion to his bible studies won’t stand in the way.
“In boxing it shouldn’t be personal. I know that my opponent is ready to take the punches and get hurt. He’s also there to hurt me as well,” said Pacquiao.
“It’s nothing personal. Hindi naman dapat maging salbahe ka (You don’t need to be mean and cruel) sa boxing. After 12 rounds, we will still be friends,” he said.
Even while in training, Pacquiao has yet to skip a beat in his bible studies. At the park, in the gym and inside his hotel suite, he sings the highest praises to the Lord.
“It has helped me a lot. It gives me the strength,” he said.
“But most of all, it has given me eternal life. I’m happier now. I believe that anytime, the Lord will take us in, and when the time comes, you know you’re ready.
“Ano man oras na kukunin tayo ng Panginoon ready tayo. Hindi natin alam kung kailan. Pero huwag tayo matakot kung mamatay tayo ngayon, bukas o sa makalawa.
“But as long as you believe, God will give you a long life,” said Pacquiao.
Amen.