Boxing News 24/7Photos: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas
Reigning WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao and his challenger, three-time junior welterweight world titlist Timothy Bradley, arrived in Las Vegas on June 5 to much media hurrah and attracted a plethora of camera flashes at the final press conference yesterday, June 7. Filipino icon Pacquiao was his usual chipper self, while self-assured Bradley was all business during the face. The two headline the June 9 card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) makes the 3rd defence of his WBO title while Bradley boxes in his 8th championship bout
Despite documented fractions in Team Pacquiao, conditioner Alex Ariza (left) will still be a second in Manny’s corner
Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko) was comfortable and smiling with his long-time trainer Joel Diaz
A veteran of pay-per-view promotions, Pacquiao’s mic skills pleased his coach Freddie Roach
Bradley is so confident of slaying Pacquiao that he already envisions an immediate rematch
Pacquiao shows off the ring the WBO presented to him
An accomplished welterweight, Pacquiao’s body of work in the division is impressive as he has already accumulated victories over Miguel Cotto (12 Rd TKO), Joshua Clottey (12 Rd UD), Antonio Margarito (12 Rd UD), Shane Mosley (12 Rd UD) and Juan Manuel Marquez (12 Rd MD). All of his triumphs at 147lbs have been comprehensive aside from his most recent, to Mexican nemesis Marquez, as analysts regarded Juan Manuel to have bossed the contest for the majority of rounds. Against Bradley, though, Pacquiao is said to be eager to put in a performance that will remind fans of the skill-set he used to notch up a variety of titles in eight divisions.
Bradley, in contrast, has only once fought at welterweight in the past five years; against Luis Carlos Abregu. The American’s quality, though, shined at 140lbs as he demonstrated fine ring skills and a winner’s mentality. His most notable scalps include Devon Alexander (10Rd TD), Lamont Peterson (12 Rd UD) and Junior Witter (12 Rd SD).
For the first time in four years (David Diaz), Pacman has a notable height advantage over his opponent
The Tecate girls provided the final press conference with some visual ‘caracter’
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