Sports: Pacquiao will Redeem Himself
Once again, Manny Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization
welterweight title against an undefeated foe in Timothy Bradley this June 9, a
Sunday morning in Manila (June 10), over at the fabled MGM Grand Garden Arena in
Las Vegas in the world’s gambling capital in Nevada.
No doubt, the odds are highly tilting in the ‘Pambansang Kamao’s’ favor as he fights his 60th career professional bout since 1995 with 54 wins to boot while losing thrice and drawing two times. Overall, Manny has won 38 times via the short distance and 16 fights via decision.
They say all’s not well within the Pacquiao camp particularly the reported rift between Coach Freddie Roach and conditioning mentor Alex Ariza who was criticized for leaving Manny’s training in Baguio City for the US to attend to a title fight of another world boxing champion. But Roach himself said Ariza will be in Manny’s corner come fight night.
Another thing is that Manny has been at the forefront once again when it comes to issues involving his position as representative of the lone district of Sarangani in as much as his absenteeism issue is concerned as well as his brushes with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, his reported coddling of a big time carnapping suspect as well as topics regarding the recent impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
And yet then there’s another usual issue on his marriage with wife Jinky as well as his pronouncements that Manny had already shunned away vices like gambling, drinking, staying late at night as well as his unconfirmed marital infidelity in favor of preaching the words of God.
All of these seemed to cast a doubt in the pound-for-pound champion of the world after Pacquiao won a controversial majority decision triumph over arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez in November of 2011 as well as his not-so spectacular wins against Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Josh Clottey.
But come June 10, Philippine time, expect the gentleman from Sarangani to go out smoking right in the very opening round of his 12-round title bout versus the unscathed Bradley who’s more of a bodybuilder than a boxer at first sight. The American’s punching power is also suspect in this title fight according to boxing fans.
Checking Bradley’s immaculate 28-0-0-1 record in 29 fights since 2004, yours truly cannot even see a marquee name in his list of victims unlike our very own Manny’s list of casualties which include Oscar Dela Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and Marco Antonio Barrera, all Class A simonpures of their time.
Bradley’s last opponent, former Olympic medal winner Joel Casamayor of Cuba, was considered a ‘patsy’ and past his prime when the 28-year old American pounded his aging foe into submission in the 8th round (TKO) to retain his WBO light welterweight belt during the undercard of the Pacquiao-Marquez title showdown last year.
For your Sideline Spectator, Bradley is expected to be eaten alive by the eight-division world champion in Sunday’s title fight which assures Manny of a huge paycheck once again-$26 million as purse not to mention his pay-per-view shares. Bradley will pocket $5 million, his biggest winning, win or lose!
After Manny’s expected disposal of his American foe, Pacquiao is expected to fight once more before 2012 ends and no doubt he’s ready whether its Floyd Mayweather Jr or Lamont Peterson or even Cotto or Marquez. Just name it, Manny will have it!
By the way, yours truly has been designated as the new chief of the Investigation Branch of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office effective June 4 of this year in addition to my duties as spokesperson of the Negros Occidental PNP as well as the chief of AIDSOTG.*
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