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LAS VEGAS, USA – Timothy Bradley Jr wants Manny Pacquiao to win on the 9th. May 9 that is, not April 9.
The American boxer – who faces the boxer turned Philippine congressman turned senatorial candidate for a third time this Saturday – delivered a surprise endorsement for the 37-year-old Pacquiao during their final press conference on Wednesday, April 6, at the MGM Grand.
Bradley (33-1-1, 13 knockouts), who is seeking a clear win over Pacquiao after winning a controversial decision in their first fight and losing a unanimous decision in their rematch, did little to hype the bout at the dais. Instead, he expressed his gratitude to the Pacquiao camp, his wife Monica, trainer Teddy Atlas and a number of others before explaining why he believes Filipinos should vote for Pacquiao in the general elections.
“I read something the other day that someone said that Manny Pacquiao, in order to win his campaign…he has to win this fight. I think that is baloney. I think that is garbage. Honest to God, I don’t think the fight has anything to do with what this man has shown to the Filipino people,” said Bradley, who mistakenly said Pacquiao had future aspirations to be “governor of the Philippines.”
“He hasn’t shown everybody what he’s made of, everything he done, did for the Philippines, for the Filipino people? He is truly, truly, the only one out there that’s gonna do right for the Filipino people in the Philippines.”
The friendly press conference concluded without the perfunctory face-to-face staredown.
Bradley has a few reasons to be thankful towards Pacquiao. The 32-year-old from Palm Springs, California, who reportedly made $5 million from their first fight and $6 million from their rematch, is guaranteed $4 million for this fight plus pay-per-view incentives, says promoter Bob Arum.
Pacquiao is guaranteed $20 million, according to Arum, with $7 million coming on fight night and the remaining $13 million to be accounted for within the next 90 days.
The fight’s latest odds have Pacquiao a -230 favorite, with Bradley at +180 at the MGM Grand Sports Book.
The fight hasn’t been received well by all in the Philippines, with two politicians arguing that the fight will give Pacquiao an unfair publicity advantage just a month before the elections. The Commissions on Elections (Comelec) ruled last month that there was no “justiciable controversy” to prevent the fight from being broadcast in the Philippines.
Two-term congressman Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) spent much of his time at the microphone promoting the fight, imploring fans to buy tickets and pay-per-views (suggested price for the HBO PPV is $59.95). Promoter Bob Arum says that he expects tickets to be sold out before the fight and that pay-per-view buys cannot be projected until Thursday.
Pacquiao did, however, tout his rise from poverty in the southern Philippines and detailed his philanthropic efforts, claiming that he has used much of his money to build homes for poor families.
“I came from nothing. The boy that is speaking in front of you now, I experienced to sleep in the street with no food, sometimes I’m hungry. I just drink water to survive. That’s my life; how God transformed my life to this level of mine,” said Pacquiao.
“I just want to tell you this. All the fans, all the pay-per-view, the tickets you buy to support us, I’m not keeping it alone for my family alone, but also I’m helping… the community, to the people who need help because I feel their pain.”
Pacquiao is fighting for the first time since his unanimous decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr in May of 2015, after which he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right arm.
Pacquiao says this fight will be the last of his 21-year career before retiring to focus on his political career. – Rappler.com
MORE PACQUIAO VS BRADLEY 3 COVERAGE:
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