Timothy Bradley relishes idea of sending legendary Manny Pacquiao into retirement in Las Vegas

When Manny Pacquiao spoke with commitment this week of retiring, there was some internal applause next to him from his April 9 opponent, Timothy Bradley Jnr.

“The fact Manny’s calling this his farewell fight, there’s something to be said about that,” Bradley said of the remarks Tuesday at a Beverly Hills news conference. “It could be the end, and it could backfire on him, because that’s a thought in the back of his mind.”

Bradley (33-1-1, 13 knockouts) boasts a disputed 2012 split-decision victory over Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), but he convincingly lost the 2014 rematch by unanimous decision and is plotting to turn the trilogy into a goodbye party.

Much of Bradley’s confidence is rooted in his relationship with new trainer Teddy Atlas, who motivated Bradley to a dominant ninth-round stoppage of former lightweight champion Brandon Rios on November 7.

During the fight, Atlas spoke of Bradley’s need to brave Rios’ up-close punches so that he could land the blows that ultimately won the fight.

“I’ve made some changes, and now I understand my identity as a fighter, what I’m supposed to be. Teddy made me realise that. I’m calmer this time around,” Bradley said.

As Pacquiao, 37, eyes a seat in the Philippines’ Senate with a May 9 election date, Bradley said he’s thinking about nothing other than winning the HBO pay-per-view bout at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.