Pacquiao hits LA, wary of 'improved' Bradley

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao and his entourage arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning, ready to hype his rubber match with Timothy Bradley in a two-leg press tour.

A video posted by Top Rank Inc. showed Pacquiao being interviewed by TV host Crystina Poncher, saying he could hardly wait to start training for Bradley.

Video from Top Rank's YouTube channel

“Excited for this next training camp because I've been resting for almost one year,” said Pacquiao, who had been sidelined by a shoulder injury he suffered in the lead-up to his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year.

He, however, insisted that his shoulder has healed.

“Shoulder is good. I'm feeling a hundred percent better,” Pacquiao added.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao and Bradley will grace the first of two scheduled pressers at the Crystal Ballroom of the famous Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Blvd. in California. The boxers will then fly to New York City the following day for the second press conference.

Pacquiao and Bradley will figure in a third clash on April 9 (April 10 Manila time) for the WBO welterweight title, after splitting their first two fights. The American pulled off a stunning split decision in their first encounter in 2012, while Pacquiao got even in their rematch two years later.

Many boxing pundits and fans believe Pacquiao won the first fight and have frowned upon Bradley’s selection as the fighting congressman’s final opponent.

But Pacquiao defended Bradley, saying “The Desert Storm” is a different fighter this time.

“Looking forward for more action. We know that Bradley improved a lot since our last fight. He improved a lot this time,” said Pacquiao, aware of Bradley’s impressive technical knockout win over Brandon Rios in November last year.

Rios, incidentally, was the same man Pacquiao battered in Macau in 2013.

Pacquiao concluded the interview by baring his training plans.

“We're going to start training in the Philippines then after one month, come back to LA to finish it,” he explained.