Mayweather’s pop admits he thought fight much closer

LAS VEGAS—Floyd Mayweather Sr. admitted on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) he thought things were much closer in the fight between his son Floyd Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at MGM Grand Garden Arena here.

“I told Floyd he needed to do a lot more because we know some judges are crooks,” the trainer said after the bout.

Dave Moretti scored it 118-110 while Glenn Feldman and Burt Clements saw it 116-112 all for Mayweather on Saturday, allowing the brash Michigan-born star to improve his undefeated card to 48-0 on the way to unifying the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization crowns.




Floyd Jr. revealed on Saturday after the press conference that his father wanted him to unload more against Pacquiao to put the match beyond doubt. Mayweather Sr., according to his son, was affected by the roaring cheers Pacquiao got every time he launched an attack.

“It had an effect on him mentally and he thought the fight was close,” said Pretty Boy Floyd. “My dad was on my ass the whole time because every time [Pacquiao] threw a punch, even when he missed, the crowd would cheer.”

Mayweather, however, knew better.

“I knew judges wouldn’t buy the crowd screaming,” he said, adding that the judges would see how he was making Pacquiao miss and then how he was landing solid counterpunches.



In fact, before the scorecards were officially announced, Mayweather climbed a ring corner, faced the fans and the media in front row and screamed “I knew I won, I knew I won!”

While there was no doubt Floyd Jr. had dominated the match with his uncanny defensive skills, there were still those who felt the bout should have been closer.

“I think Manny won a lot of those rounds because he was the aggressor,” said trainer Freddie Roach.

Still, Roach felt the same thing the jampacked crowd felt when it crowned Pacquiao the unofficial winner of the fight billed the greatest in two decades.

“I’m very proud [of Manny],” he said. “He hurt his opponent several times and landed good combinations. It was a close fight, and we’d love to do it again.”




Pacquiao came into the fight nursing a right shoulder injury and felt that he could have done more had he been allowed to take shots to numb the pain before the match. The eight-division champion felt the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) “sabotaged” his chances of giving a fair fight by disallowing him to take shots before the match.

The Pacquiao camp also claimed on Sunday that the NSAC and the Mayweather camp conspired to put him at a disadvantage against Mayweather.

“We tried to file for an exemption for a shot for the numbing of my shoulder but the commission did not allow it,” Pacquiao said.

After the fight, though, NSAC officials told journalists that they denied the request of the Pacquiao camp because of its timing. Pacquiao made the request for shots an hour and a half before opening bell.




“Boxing is supposed to be a combat sport and it’s supposed to hurt,” said NSAC chair Francisco Aguilar. “You’re supposed to feel pain. You can’t put a fighter up on the ring who can’t feel pain because that would be dangerous.”

Aguilar brushed off suggestions his commission intentionally denied Pacquiao his shots to favor Mayweather.

“This is not the first time we’ve experienced this,” he said. “We’ve had years dealing with these problems so we know what we’re doing.”

source: inquirer.net

Pinoys weigh in, expect Pacquiao victory

MANILA, Philippines—As eight-division World champion Manny Pacquiao steps onto the squared circle on Sunday in Macau, his compatriots expect that the Fighter of the Decade would once again raise his arms in victory.

“I think Pacquiao would get this one again, he’s one of us” jeepney driver Carlito Ilagan said of the home-grown hero. “I think he’s ready.”

Pacquiao will defend his WBO Welterweight Title against undefeated American Chris Algieri on Sunday in Cotai Arena in Macau.

Rolando Nazare, a traffic enforcer, said he expects Pacquiao to deliver a knockout but should be wary of the younger Algieri.

A peaceful man by vocation, Pastor Samuel Patagnan Jr. of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ also expects a knockout.

“I think it would still be Pacquiao, he’s an expert and a veteran,” Patagnan said. “Knockout? Probably, because he’s also fought other younger and taller fighters before.”

Kevin Patrick Hogan, an American tourist, said Pacquiao should take the fight early and a knockout would be possible.

“I think he can, but I think he’s gonna do it in the first couple of rounds, first, second, third or fourth,” Hogan said. “If it goes past the fourth round, it might be tough.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao has Algieri next, but Floyd is out there

NEW YORK—Even as Manny Pacquiao prepares for undefeated junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri, the name Floyd Mayweather is never far away.

Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown on No. 22 in Macau, the 64th bout of a career that includes titles in eight divisions. None of those has been against the undefeated Mayweather.

Pacquiao told The Associated Press on Friday that a matchup with Mayweather “is the fight fans want in their hearts” and that he is always ready to step into the ring with Mayweather. The Filipino star and congressman could be closer to such a fight because promoter Bob Arum says the two cable TV networks involved, HBO and Showtime, have reached an agreement to make it happen.

Now it’s up to Mayweather to agree, Arum says.

“If that fight happens, fine,” the 35-year-old Pacquiao said. “If not, fine — what I have done in my boxing career already has satisfied me. What I will be disappointed if that does not happen is because that is what the fans want. My concern is the concern of the fans, and the fans want that fight.”

While Arum said positive steps have been taken in the direction of a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, he is leery about Mayweather giving approval. After all, the fight hasn’t happened over a span of about a decade.

“Floyd is scared to lose the zero,” Arum said of Mayweather’s 46-0 record. “Believe me, if he lost the zero, he’d be on the plane (the next day) to make the fight, no question.”

Pacquiao isn’t and won’t think about that potentially huge payday, particularly with an opponent such as Algieri ahead of him. Algieri, from Huntington, New York, is hardly the stereotypical pugilist. He holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition, and aspires to attend medical school. He’s also a terrific boxer with a 20-0 record and eight knockouts.

That is not in the realm of Pacquiao’s 56 wins, 38 by knockouts, and standing as one of the great fighters of his era. But it’s strong enough to impress Pacman.

“He is undefeated and a world champion,” Pacquiao said, adding with a sly smile, “I love to fight undefeated guys. I want them to experience that first (defeat).”

Algieri won his belt in June by beating powerful Ruslan Provodnikov. That was almost a home bout, held in Brooklyn, about one hour’s drive from Algieri’s Long Island hometown.

This one is in Macau, and he can’t wait to show his stuff there, especially against Pacquiao.

“I grew up looking up to other fighters,” the 30-year-old Algieri said, mentioning specifically Oscar De La Hoya — who was stopped by Pacquiao in eight rounds in 2008. ” Manny is a classy champion, a gentleman and a warrior. I kind of walk in those shoes. Professionals who show class as has Manny are a testament to the sport.”

A victory would catapult Algieri to the elite level of the sport. A win for Pacquiao would further distance him from losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Marquez in 2012.

Pacquiao won a decision over Brandon Rios in Macau in 2013, then avenged the loss to Bradley with a unanimous decision last April.

What keeps Pacquiao going in the ring? Considering all of his other ventures, from politics to entrepreneurship to dabbling in basketball — the Philippines’ most popular sport, he said — why note walk away with his health?

“I continue because boxing is my passion,” he said. “You can see it in my face every time I fight. You see I am smiling when I walk into the ring. It’s that excitement.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao wins unanimous decision vs Bradley to reclaim WBO title

LAS VEGAS/MANILA — Revenge was served, and it was cold.

Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley on Saturday to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

The Filipino ring icon improved to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 wins inside the distance as he regained the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title he lost to Bradley on June 9, 2012.

Although he couldn’t get his first knockout win since 2009, Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight promise to come out with more aggression, denying Bradley’s avowed aim of sending him into retirement with another defeat.

“I think I can go another two years,” said Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. “I’m so happy to be world champion again. Tim Bradley was not an easy fight.”

Bradley, who said he fought from the first round with a right calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 knockouts.

“Life goes on,” Bradley said of his first pro defeat. “It’s back to the gym. Not a big deal.”

“You won the fight, you deserved the win,” Bradley said. “I have no excuses.”

After a forgetful 2012, Pacquiao has now picked up two impressive wins in just five months following a dominant victory over Mexican-American Brandon Rios last November at the Venetian in Macau.

Scorecard

Judge Glen Trowbridge scored the bout 118-110 for Pacquiao, while both Michael Pernick and Canada’s Craig Metcalf saw it 116-112 for the ‘Pacman,’ whose every move was cheered by the star-studded crowd of 15,601 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Bradley is better from the first fight,” Pacquiao said. “He hurt me on the chin. He made adjustments.

“I knew I had to do more this time than I did the last time,” he added.

Pacquiao landed 35 percent of his 563 punches, while Bradley connected with just 22 percent of his 627 blows. Pacquiao’s jab was much more effective, landing 23 percent to Bradley’s measly 11 percent, and the Pacman had a slight edge in landing 148 power punches to Bradley’s 109.

Round by round

Pacquiao’s performance righted one of the biggest perceived wrongs in recent boxing history. Pacquiao was an eight-division world champion on 15-fight winning streak when Bradley was awarded a split decision in their last bout.

Pacquiao was more aggressive and accurate from the opening minutes of the rematch, sticking to trainer Freddie Roach’s pleas to take the action to Bradley. They exchanged big shots in the opening rounds, but Pacquiao appeared to wear out Bradley with the heavy early pace — and the Pacman never slowed down.

Pacquiao landed a series of big left hands in the early rounds, knocking back Bradley with gusto.

Bradley responded impressively in the fourth round, wobbling Pacquiao twice with a right hand.

The pace slowed in the fifth, with Bradley showing off his defense and movement while Pacquiao attempted to trap him against the ropes.

Pacquiao appeared to wobble Bradley late in the seventh round with a vicious combination, but Bradley stood with his back against the ropes and defiantly encouraged it, blocking most of the shots. Bradley appeared to pretend to have wobbly legs at one point after a Pacquiao miss, but his open mouth betrayed his weariness while Pacquiao steadily racked up rounds midway through the fight.

Bradley came on strong in the 12th, and the fighters’ heads collided late in the round. Pacquiao avoided any trouble until the final bell, when he did a short dance step to his corner.

Pacquiao finished the fight with a cut over his left eye. Roach said Pacquiao needed stitches to close the jagged cut.

Old ‘killer instinct’

Saturday’s victory showcased more of the old “killer instinct,” with Bradley saying it was clear that Pacquiao was “going for it”.

But Roach said Bradley’s unexpected strategy of seeking a big knockout blow of his own caught him and Pacquiao by surprise.

“He was swinging for the fences all night,” Roach said of Bradley, who said he thought it was the only way he could win the fight.

But as the pace slowed in the later rounds, Pacquiao dominated, putting together multi-punch combinations that kept Bradley off balance.

“I tried, I really tried,” said Bradley. “I wanted that knockout. I kept trying to throw something over the top, that’s what the plan was.”

But Bradley trainer Joel Diaz said he knew the plan had gone out the window when Bradley came to the corner after the first round saying he thought he had torn his right calf muscle.

Diaz tried massaging it, but Bradley told him to stop because it hurt.

“From that point on, I knew I didn’t have much to work with, because our plan was to dominate Pacquiao and we couldn’t do it,” Diaz said.

The injury was later diagnosed as a strain, and Bradley said he had “no excuses”.

“Manny is a great fighter, one of the best in the world maybe the best ever,” he said.

Before the rematch

While Bradley remains publicly confident he beat Pacquiao in their first bout despite fighting on two injured feet, that much-derided decision sent both fighters’ careers on wild spirals.

The two judges who scored the bout 115-113 for Bradley are no longer in the boxing business, but their decision ended Pacquiao’s 15-fight win streak and forced Bradley to defend himself against widespread criticism of the result.

Bradley endured death threats and depression before returning to the ring in unusually reckless style. He brawled with Ruslan Provodnikov in March 2013 in a sensational unanimous-decision victory that silenced critics of his style and heart. Bradley then outpointed veteran Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez last fall, polishing his skills and making himself attractive to Pacquiao for a rematch.

Pacquiao was knocked unconscious by Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth fight in late 2012, and he took nearly a year off before returning for an unspectacular victory over Brandon Rios last fall. Pacquiao’s last two performances prompted Bradley to declare Pacquiao had lost his killer instinct, noting he was unable or unwilling to stop any of his opponents since late 2009.

Pacquiao’s next foe



Pacquiao’s next opponent could be the winner of the May 17 bout between Mike Alvarado and Marquez.

If Marquez wins, he could meet Pacquiao for the fifth time.

“I have no problem with fighting Marquez again, but that’s up to my promoter, Bob Arum,” Pacquiao said.

Motherly love

After the decision was announced, Dionisia Pacquiao, the fighting congressman’s mother, quickly approached the fallen American.

Mommy D, as she is fondly called, was probably the first to console Bradley from the Pacquiao camp, giving the American some motherly hug and a playful jab to the chin.

And Mommy D did not disappoint, claiming the 8th spot on the World’s trending topics on Twitter as of 1:30 p.m. (Manila time).

source: sports.inquirer.net

Bradley to Pacquiao: You better be ready

LAS VEGAS—Just when their final press conference was about to wrap up without fireworks, Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao lit up some sparks.

During their face-off, the loudmouth Bradley initiated the verbal exchange that lasted for 10 seconds at the center of Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand here Wednesday.

Pacquiao answered back with nary a pause.

Nobody heard them talking, but it reportedly went like this: 





  


Bradley: Are you ready?

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Bradley: Are you sure you’re ready?

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Bradley: You better be ready.

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Then they stared at each other without blinking and shook hands before heading back to their corners.

Disgusted Arum

If there was genuine hatred between the protagonists for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena here, they acted good enough to hide it.

Venerable promoter Bob Arum couldn’t hide his disgust with MGM officials for a serious affront they committed.

Instead of Pacquiao-Bradley II being displayed all over the hotel and casino, it was the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-versus-Marcos Maidana tussle on May 3 that was being shown.

2-1 favorite

The 82-year-old Arum said Pacquiao-Bradley was a much more competitive fight, with sports book putting the eight-division world champion from the Philippines a 2-1 favorite.

In contrast, oddsmakers have installed Mayweather a 15-1 favorite over Maidana.

Only the fact that the grudge rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley, to be shown on HBO pay-per-view (PPV), was sure to be a sellout put a smile back on Arum’s face.



PPV superstar

According to Arum, only about a thousand tickets are left and they are sure to be gobbled up in the last three days.

HBO’s Mark Taffet lauded Pacquiao as a PPV superstar.

Taffet said Pacquiao’s 18 PPV fights have generated a total of 12.2 million buys for a whopping $660 million in revenues.

With Pacquiao-Bradley II expected to hit a million buys, Pacquiao should breach the $700 million mark.

Fight of the Year?

WBO president Paco Valcalcel said it could be the Fight of the Year.

Bradley’s showdown with Ruslan Provodnikov was also explosive enough for the Fight of the Year award.

Pacquiao, who is guaranteed $20 million, will be making his 11th appearance at MGM Grand, while Bradley, who’s guaranteed $6 million, will be making his third.

Next fight in Macau

In their first fight, Pacquiao got $25 million while Bradley pocketed $5 million.

With Top Rank’s relationship with MGM strained, Arum intends to bring Pacquiao’s next fight to The Venetian in Macau in November.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Mayweather dominates Alvarez for easy decision win

LAS VEGAS — Canelo Alvarez proved nothing more than easy money for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather turned one of the richest fights ever into just another $41.5 million payday Saturday night, dominating Alvarez from the opening bell and winning a majority decision in a masterful performance that left no doubt who the best fighter of his era is.

Fighting off his shortest layoff in years, Mayweather was sharp, efficient and sometimes brutal in dismantling an unbeaten fighter who was bigger and was supposed to punch harder. He frustrated Alvarez early, pounded him with big right hands in the middle rounds, and made him look just like he said he would — like any other opponent.

Mayweather was favored 117-111 and 116-112 on two ringside scorecards while a third had the fight 114-114. The Associated Press scored it 119-109 for Mayweather.

“I just listened to my corner, listened to my dad,” Mayweather said. “My dad had a brilliant game plan, and I went out there and got the job done.”

Mayweather remained unbeaten in 45 fights and added another piece of the junior middleweight title to his collection in a fight that was fought at a 152-pound limit. Alvarez weighed in at that weight, but was an unofficial 165 pounds when he got into the ring while Mayweather, who weighed in at 150 1/2 pounds, was an even 150.

Mayweather’s speed was the difference all night as he was able to land straight rights and left jabs, then get out of the way before Alvarez was able to respond. But while Mayweather used great defense, he wasn’t afraid to attack often and at different angles, finding Alvarez with punches he couldn’t anticipate.

“He’s very talented, very elusive,” Alvarez said.

When it was over, Mayweather didn’t even celebrate, walking over to a corner to look at the crowd. Just another payday, just another win for Money May. The only suspense came when it was announced the decision wasn’t unanimous.

“I can’t control what the judges do,” Mayweather said.

Alvarez was supposed to be Mayweather’s greatest challenge and he did his best to force the action. Like others, though, he couldn’t solve the puzzle that is Mayweather and spent much of his night punching at an opponent who had already moved away from him.

“I didn’t know how to get him, it’s extremely simple,” Alvarez said. “He’s a great fighter, very intelligent. The frustration was getting in there, but he’s a great fighter. We tried to catch him.”

The sellout crowd at the MGM Grand tried its best to urge Alvarez on, but the cheers of “Canelo! Canelo!” were faint and wistful by the late rounds. Mayweather was so much in charge that the only question was whether the ringside judges would allow him to pitch a shutout.

Mayweather came out aggressive and used his speed to hit Alvarez with one or two shots in the early rounds and then get safely out of the way. Alvarez tried to stalk Mayweather and throw right hands, but Mayweather was usually safely out of the way by the time the punches arrived.

“He’s a tough competitor,” Mayweather said. “A tough competitor.”

Alvarez kept trying to force the fight, but every time he went after Mayweather he paid for it with a counter right or a combination to the head. By the fourth round he was beginning to get frustrated, landing a low blow that angered Mayweather, who was further angered when Alvarez refused to touch gloves with him to resume the fight.

The fight was one of the richest ever — if not the richest ever — with a live gate of $20 million and at least another $100 million from pay-per-view. Tickets were so hot that celebrities were actually offering to buy them and some tickets were being offered online for as much as $29,000.

Mayweather was the big beneficiary of that, making a guaranteed $41.5 million to $5 million for Alvarez. Add in his purse from his win over Robert Guererro in May and Mayweather made $73 million in two fights — easily making him the highest-paid athlete in the country.

Alvarez had some star power himself, with his red hair, good lucks and big punching power winning over most of his native Mexico. The fight was on free TV in Mexico, and some estimates were that 70 million people would watch.

source: sports.inquirer.net

A Pacquiao-Bradley rematch? Not so fast

Manny Pacquiao has a contractual right to a return engagement after losing a controversial split-decision. But lukewarm public interest could derail such plans.




LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao reserved a contractual right to request a rematch against Palm Springs' Timothy Bradley if he lost Saturday.




And even though Pacquiao was left stunned by a split-decision defeat in which two of three judges awarded Bradley a 115-113 victory, it's not a given that the pair will reunite in November.

Fight promoter Bob Arum said after the bout that he heard from ticket brokers who said they would have trouble selling seats to a Bradley rematch because most fight watchers considered the World Boxing Organization welterweight title bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand a one-sided Pacquiao victory.

"The brokers are telling us if we make a Bradley rematch, no one will go," Arum said.

Todd duBoef, president of Arum's Top Rank promotional company, said he'd like to see the results of polls asking fans if they want a rematch before committing to a second fight.

Veering from Bradley would deny him another major purse after he earned $5 million against Pacquiao. Bradley manager Cameron Dunkin said following Saturday night's fight that he would expect a rematch purse to be "something near" $10 million now that Bradley has the belt.

So there's some leveraging going on too.

Pacquiao's alternatives would be another run atFloyd Mayweather Jr., who's due for release from Clark County (Nev.) jail on a domestic-violence conviction in August, or a fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Bradley improved to 29-0 with Saturday's victory, but few outside of his supporters were buying the scores that favored him from judges Catherine J. Ross and Duane Ford.

Arum said Bradley told the promoter in the ring before the scorecards were turned in, "Manny's a great fighter. I tried as hard as I could, but I came up short."

Despite concerns Pacquiao (54-4-2) had been flat in his two previous fights and might be unfocused after experiencing a religious awakening this year, the Filipino superstar returned to form close to his peak and connected on 253 punches to Bradley's 159, according to CompuBox statistics.

"I was proud of Manny," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "I thought it was his best fight since" a 2009 victory over Miguel Cotto. "He clearly won the fight. I think the judges had their eyes closed. Something wasn't right."

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer said he does not anticipate any discipline or review of Ross or Ford.

"Every fighter who loses a close fight looks at the judges," Kizer said. "I think every judge should strive to get better."

Arum expressed concern for boxing fans' faith in the sport.

"The outcome of this is not good," he said. "I hope boxing recovers."

Pacquiao said he would "respect the decision, but I 100% believe I won the fight. The best attitude is respect and professionalism. I hope this dismay doesn't cause people to discard the sport. I'm still here. I can fight."

Arum told Pacquiao on the news conference stage that, "If you want," the Bradley rematch, "that's what we'll do."

Pacquiao, who hadn't lost since March 2005, hasn't knocked out an opponent in five consecutive fights. He said meeting Bradley again, "would make me become a warrior in the ring, because I don't want it to go to the judges."

Pacquiao had a 158-to-80 lead in punches-connected after seven rounds against Bradley, who twisted an ankle in the second round and was clearly failing to convince the champion that he was capable of a knockout.

"I was glad Bob Arum gave me an opponent who would fight toe-to-toe," Pacquiao said. "My goal was to exchange strong punches, but then toward the end he started running. … Aside from three rounds, I hurt him, and I know he felt that."

Bradley trainer Joel Diaz said his fighter won five of the last six rounds on Ross and Ford's scorecards by "moving."

"After the seventh round, I was continued action," Bradley said. "There were three judges, and two of them thought I won. What do you want me to do?"

source: latimes.com

Roach on Pacquiao: 'He has a knockout on his mind'

LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao has more at stake than his World Boxing Organization welterweight title when he takes on unbeaten American Timothy Bradley on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) -- he has his reputation on the line.

Pacquaio trainer Freddie Roach didn't mince words when he said the Filipino ring icon would be fighting to regain some luster after his controversial majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez last November.

"Manny's motivation is his last fight. We had the first bad fight we had in 11 years," Roach said. "He wants to prove to the world he's not washed up."

Pacquiao has won world titles in eight weight divisions, building a record of 54-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts.

Along the way he has become a hero in his home country, where he is also a congressman, and a star around the world.

But the 33-year-old southpaw was unconvincing against Marquez, leading many to wonder if he has passed the peak of his powers.

Roach said that Pacquiao is so determined to prove himself, Roach said, that he believes the figher is thinking knockout.

"I do feel he has a knockout on his mind," Roach said.

Both Pacquiao and Roach know that the 28-year-old Bradley, who brings a record of 28-0 to the bout with 12 knockouts, will be eager to make an impression in the biggest fight of his career.

"He's a tough young guy coming up, but I think he'll get eaten up as he comes," said Roach, who believes Bradley is too slow and lacking in power to beat Pacquiao.

Bradley has said he will try to avoid a toe-to-toe battle with Pacquiao, whose quickness, power and ability to punch from many angles have seen him win 15 fights in a row since 2005.

Roach said he believes that Bradley will bring the fight to Pacquiao, which will suit the champion perfectly.

"I think they are trying to mix us up a little," Roach said. "I think we can count on him coming to us."

Even if he doesn't, Roach said, Pacquiao will be ready, having sparred with partners who were aggressive and with those who weren't.

"If he does try not to engage, we'll take the fight to him," Roach said.

Bradley, who won the WBO light welterweight title by beating Britain's Junior Witter in England in 2008, will be fighting for just the second time at 147 pounds.

The pre-fight hype -- including a reality television series following both fighters and numerous publicity stops to promote the pay-per-view program -- is more than Bradley has encountered before, but he has shown himself adept.

He is relaxed and engaging in his interviews, explaining his vegan diet and the financially lean years of his early pro career.

He got a laugh out of Pacquiao at the pre-fight press conference by unveiling a giant "ticket" for a re-match to follow his victory on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time).

Bradley's trainer, Joel Diaz, also said his fighter was ready for the pro-Pacquiao crowd that is sure to greet him Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, noting that he dealt admirably with the hostile crowd in Nottingham when he upset Witter.

Both fighters have said they have made adjustments in training to try to minimize the risk of head-butts determining the bout -- Bradley because he has been accused of leading with his head in the past and Pacquiao mainly because the southpaw-righty matchup can often lead to such butts.

"He's tired of all these people saying he uses his head intentionally," Diaz said of Bradley.

Roach didn't go so far as to call Bradley a dirty fighter, but said: "He does use his head quite a bit. It's something we have to be concerned about.

"If he comes in head first, you use lateral movement. Over 12 rounds, a southpaw and righty, their heads are on the same side. Head butts do happen." - AFP

source: gmanetwork.com