LAS VEGAS - It’s been said many times before but Timothy Bradley’s chief trainer still was bold enough to say it again Wednesday here at the MGM.
“I think it’s Manny Pacquiao’s last fight,†Joel Diaz told scribes in a special session prior to the final press conference of Saturday’s big fight at the Grand Garden Arena.
Diaz had been in the business long enough for him to think the way he does.
And he’s leaning for his prized fighter, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, to do the job inside the ring so he won’t end up eating his own words.
Diaz was also in Bradley’s corner when the American pulled off a split decision that was contested and questioned by a lot of people.
This time, Diaz thinks that Bradley will win convincingly.
And when the decision is announced and Bradley’s hands are raised, it’s also time for the 35-year-old Pacquiao to call it quits.
“We’re here to finally set it straight on Saturday. You will see Timothy Bradley hungry and determined to show you guys that he can beat Manny Pacquiao,†was Diaz’ opening statement.
What he had to say, it seems, was already stored in his mind.
“Like in life, everything has a beginning and an end. I think this is Manny Pacquiao’s end,†said Diaz, who added that the age difference could be a factor in the fight.
“I’ve trained fighters at their prime and fighters toward the end of their prime. And Manny Pacquiao at his age has a lot of wear and tear in his body,†he said.
But the weight of his statements lie on their observation and belief that Pacquiao, once as vicious as the old Mike Tyson, has lost his killer instinct.
Pacquiao, with 38 knockouts in his 55 victories, hasn’t stopped an opponent in five years – whether because he has lost his killer instinct or his power or he has learned to be compassionate inside the ring.
“If he’s compassionate to his opponent, you don’t belong in this sport. You have to execute your opponent in front of you,†he said. “And if you feel sorry for them you don’t belong in this sport. Find another sport – golf or tennis,†Diaz added.
Pacquiao, based on record, fights better when his opponents come to him. And Bradley can do that, too, if they feel it’s the right thing to do.
“Timothy can box and brawl. You are going to see Timothy come in and attack Manny Pacquiao. At his age a young fighter like Timothy can wear him down,†said Diaz. Bradley, at 30, is undefeated in 31 professional fights, and if he wins this one, then it may be hard to find someone who can beat him.
After his controversial win over Pacquiao in 2012, Bradley fought two great fights and proved that he belongs there. In 2013, he defeated Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Pacquiao, on one hand, lost two in a row to Bradley and Marquez but bounced back to life with a dominant win over Brandon Rios last November.
“He’s gonna box, he’s gonna brawl. It depends on what Manny Pacquiao brings every round. There are fighters who walk to Manny Pacquiao straight forward. But Bradley is very elusive. He’s moves and he’s not a straight target,†said Diaz.
Pacquiao wasn’t in the room to defend himself. But when the Filipino icon walked in and took his seat, it was the first thing thrown at him. That Diaz said this is going to be his last fight.
“That’s not new for me. I heard that from Rios. Rios said he will retire me. It’s not new to me,†said Pacquiao. Just as simple as that.