'I have to knock Pacquiao out,' says Timothy Bradley
Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley go into their welterweight world title rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas aiming to lay the ghost of their polarising first contest.
Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley go into their welterweight world title rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas aiming to lay the ghost of their polarising first contest.
“I’ve got to knock him out, that’s what I have to do,” Bradley said on Friday at a raucous weigh-in on a stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
California’s “Desert Storm” Bradley seized the World Boxing Organisation belt from the Philippine icon with a narrow split decision that many believed the American didn’t deserve in June 2012.
Let’s do this. I’m excited
Although Pacquiao took the defeat in stride, he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in his next fight, and is out to prove his subsequent lopsided decision over Brandon Rios marked the start of another illustrious chapter in his storied career.
Conversely, another defeat to Bradley would see fresh calls for the 35-year-old Pacquiao to quit the sport.
Pacquiao weighed in at 145 pounds (65.77kg), to the cheers of an adoring crowd.
He struck a pose on the scales as Philippine flags waved, while Bradley feigned shock at being greeted with boos on home soil.
The usual stare-down had a good-natured feel, and Pacquiao exited the stage with a blown kiss for his fans.