April 12 Rematch at the MGM Grand
Manny Pacquiao will tangle with WBO welterweight champ Timothy Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in an anticipated rematch for Bradley’s WBO title.
Here’s my report from the Beverly Hill Hotel press conference kicking off their upcoming April collision. Critics and naysayers who weren’t in love with this rematch may have been silenced yesterday by the huge amount of buzz and anticipation surrounding the teams meeting in the standing-room only Crystal Ballroom. The stream of media never stopped and the crush of writers and photographers seemed even stronger than their 2012 luncheon I had also attended.
A lot has changed since their first battle two years ago. When they first met two years ago, Bradley, now 30, was the young challenger of Pacman, the superstar from Sarangani. When the final bell rang in their June 2012 bout, scores heralded Timmy the winner by split decision. Boos continued to follow the “Desert Storm” fighter, tainting his win. He then went on to face keg-of-dynamite Ruslan Provodnikov in a “Fight of the Year” war before defeating Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez in October 2013.
In the opposite corner (after his defeat by Bradley) Pacquiao rematched against Juan Manuel Marquez, which resulted in Pacquaio’s shocking KO loss, then later bouncing back in a victory over Brandon Rios in November 2013. Pacquiao, 35, is hungry for another win, and now this second chance against his nemesis Bradley.
Flash forward to 2014 and here we go again, folks! Deja Vu all over again. During Tuesday’s event, the two superstars of the ring met face to face for the first time since their 2012 clash that resulted in a controversial victory for Cathedral City’s Bradley.
April 12 is a pivotal duel for both boxers. Redemption in the ring for one fighter who’s hand will be raised. And this second meeting promises to be even more intense, competitive and hard fought than their first go-round. Tickets are on sale now and the fight will air on HBO Pay-Per-View. Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, the card will also feature a 12-round scrap between Ray Beltran vs. Rocky Martinez.
The mood in the room was, at times serious, with both camps showing respect and a strong resolve in securing the victory. A lot is at stake for all involved.
On stage joining Pacquiao and Bradley were Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, Manny’s trainers Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune (who has reunited with Team Pacquiao after his well-documented squabble with Roach), Tim’s trainers Joel Diaz and Timothy Ray Bradley Sr. and HBO’s Ken Hershman. Undercard fighter Ray Beltran and female pro champ Kaliesha West were also in the audience. Bradley’s wife Monica and their two youngest children, two-year-old Jada and 6-month-old Malaya were also in attendance.
April 12 should provide plenty of fireworks for fight fans. Pacquiao is an eight-division world champ with 62 pro bouts logged in while Bradley is the reigning champ and unbeaten with 31 pro victories.
Should Manny win, he’ll remain the elite champ with fans still clamoring for a Mayweather-Pac dream fight. Should Timmy win, he will further prove his pound-for-pound legitimacy to the critics who yelled foul over his Pacquiao and Provodnikov wins.
This is unfinished business for both teams. And when the fight is over, redemption for one prizefighter.
Arum says this is a close to even money fight, a “pick ’em” fight for all and should be a competitive “Fight of the Year” candidate.
“I remember last time believing that I won the first fight against Tim Bradley. I thought I was leading after every round,” Pacquiao said. “I thought I won the fight easily. I controlled the fight every round.”
His foe had this to say. “This is all about redemption. I need Manny. He needs me. I’m going to beat him again,” Bradley stated. “I am younger and a better fighter. Manny fights for the money. I have the hunger to win.”
IFBA Super Bantamweight Champ Kaliesha West gave me her own personal take on the upcoming feud. “Both fighters will really go for it,” she says. “I’ve known Bradley for a long time and I’ve watched both fighters for years and I think this fight will be even better than their first!”
Chatting with Tim’s father Timothy Ray Bradley Sr., the trainer said Bradley Jr. could be “mysterious” in his game plan, never knowing what he will do. But the camp promises a win when asked if Bradley will be victorious. “No doubt about it,” Big Ray replied. “NO DOUBT.”
On April 12, we will all have our answers when Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley will lock horns for the second time.
Photos by Michele Chong
