Super middleweight champ favors Bradley in Pacquiao rematch

MANILA, Philippines – WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward, currently among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, is putting his money on Timothy Bradley in his reported rematch with Manny Pacquiao this April.

Ward, undefeated in 27 bouts (with 14 knockouts), revealed his pick in a recent interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radio.

He says Bradley’s hunger will tow him to another win over Pacquiao, whom Bradley defeated in a controversial decision in June 2012.

"One tangible that Timothy Bradley has is his desire,” Ward said. “You hear a lot of fighters say that, 'I'll die in the ring, I'll do this and I'll do that and I think he is one of those guys that are willing to go to that place to get a victory, so Timothy came up the hard way, nobody ever gives him credit, he's always the underdog."

Reports claim that a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch is close to being finalized, and the fight might be officially announced next week. The Filipino icon has zeroed in on regaining the WBO welterweight title which Bradley took from him in their first fight.

Bradley escaped with a 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115 majority decision victory over Pacquiao in their initial encounter, a fight Pacquiao appeared to have dominated.

Ward stressed the fire in Bradley’s belly will enable the American to repeat over Pacquiao when they meet again on April 12 in Las Vegas.

"That's the material, that's the fuel that people don't realize that push guys like Timothy Bradley to go above and beyond what people think he's gonna do. So to answer the question I got to favor my friend, I got to favor Timothy Bradley, not necessarily with X's and O's and strategy, but just desire man," Ward explained.

Bradley, who’s also undefeated (31-0, with 12 knockouts), possesses solid boxing skills and fights with a slick style. But Pacquiao is likely favored with his superior speed and punching power.

Ward, however, thinks Pacquiao’s strengths won’t matter against a hungrier Bradley.

"I feel he (Bradley) has a desire that can't be denied and he has the intangibles that you can't put your finger on what he has. I think he's willing to go to whatever place he needs to go to not lose what he's earned and that's his reputation, that's his undefeated record and the status that he has, so I got to go with Tim on that," he ended.