MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao believes Timothy Bradley has improved since they last fought about two years ago.
Bradley, however, doesn’t feel the same way about Pacquiao.
The slick American, who has a chance to get the last laugh when he takes on Pacquiao for the third time this April, said the Filipino will be the same fighter he fought in 2012 and 2014.
“We’ll be ready, and I’ll see every single thing that Manny Pacquiao does,” Bradley said in a report by Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times. “It’s my job to exploit it. [Pacquiao] won’t change. He’ll be the same.”
The boxer known as “The Desert Storm” insisted that he has learned from the two bouts he had against Pacquiao, claiming to have figured out the Filipino icon. Bradley was the controversial winner in their first meeting then lost in the rematch two years later.
“The last [Pacquiao] fight, I had a completely different mindset. I went out there to be something I wasn’t instead of being true to myself. Now, I’m back to being the calm, smart, very experienced fighter who’s been in the ring with him for 24 rounds,” Bradley continued
The current WBO welterweight champion also claimed he’s had a resurgence under new trainer Teddy Atlas, who steered him to a remarkable win over Brandon Rios late last year.
He believes Atlas will again make a big difference when he takes another crack at Pacquiao, who is keen on retiring after their April 9 bout (April 10 Manila time).
“I’ve made some changes, and now I understand my identity as a fighter: what I’m supposed to be. Teddy made me realize that. I’m calmer this time around,” Bradley said.
“The way Teddy breaks down film, it’s amazing. And I’m different. This fight is not about Pacquiao. I don’t fear Pacquiao. It’s about me — me being the best I can be, being sharp, in tune, fundamentally sound, confident.” – Dino Maragay