Pacquiao must maintain focus to win over Bradley, says Donaire

MANILA, Philippines – WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is undoubtedly picking his compatriot Manny Pacquiao to walk out of the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with the victory over Timothy Bradley Jr. in their rubber match on April 9 (April 10 in the Philippines).

The 33-year-old switch-hitter expects that the third encounter between Pacquiao and Bradley will be more of the same with the first two meetings, where boxing’s only 8-division world champion managed to make it look like a one-sided affair.

Bradley picked up a controversial victory over the renowned Filipino pugilist by way of split decision in June 2012, while Pacquiao avenged the defeat and routed his American rival via unanimous decision to regain the WBO welterweight championship in April 2014.

Donaire believes that Pacquiao has the upper hand in all aspects as compared with Bradley’s in-ring capabilities, but he is admittedly worried with his fellow Pinoy boxer’s focus in the fight as the 37-year-old southpaw has been preoccupied with his senatorial campaign for the upcoming elections on May 9.

“In the first fight and second fight, we all know that Manny won. We all know that he is the better boxer. He is stronger and faster,” he said during a press conference on Thursday, April 7. “The ultimate question really is, is he focused for this fight?”

Although Donaire knows that Pacquiao has always been in great physical shape for all of his bouts, he suggests that the Filipino boxing icon has to be mentally sharp versus an upset-seeking Bradley, who is coming off a ninth-round stoppage of Brandon Rios last November.

“If you’re not there mentally, even half, it becomes a harder fight because you’re not adjusted mentally,” he stated.

Donaire stressed that Pacquiao will have an easier time against Bradley if he maintains his focus throughout the scheduled 12-round bout.

“So if he’s focused, yes, he will win the fight. If he’s not focused, it will be a difficult fight. But I think he’ll still win the fight,” he asserted.

Donaire is slated to defend his red-laced world title for the first time against Hungary’s Zsolt Bedak in Cebu City on April 23. – Rappler.com