MANILA, Philippines – The more Timothy Bradley throws punches, the better it will be for Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said on Thursday he prefers Bradley to come out with guns blazing in their rematch on April 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The Filipino icon held a media workout at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time), and according to ringtv.com’s Doug Fischer, voiced out his desire to fight an “aggressive†Bradley,
“I’m expecting a better Tim Bradley than I fought in the first fight,†said Pacquiao, who controversially lost to Bradley in their first fight two years ago.
“He proved in his last two fights with [Juan Manuel] Marquez and Ruslan [Provodnikov] that he’s a better fighter now. He proved his toughness against Ruslan. I’m prepared for that kind of fight,†he added.
Pacquiao also reiterated his vow to go all out on Bradley, although that doesn’t mean he’ll be gunning for a knockout.
“My focus is to throw more punches and to be more aggressive. If the knockout comes, it comes. Knockouts are a bonus from working hard,†he explained.
Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach hope Bradley will trade blows and not run all night.
“Tim Bradley has good legs and he does move pretty well but he’s not a runner. Manny can cut the ring off and get him against the ropes, and one thing about Bradley is that he will punch back if he gets hit. It’s in his nature,†Roach said.
“He loves to exchange and when he does, he swings a little wild. I think Manny can catch him during one of these exchanges,†the bespectacled trainer added.
Pacquiao, for his part, echoed his trainer’s observation.
“If Bradley is more aggressive, it’s good for me,†said the fighting congressman.