Mommy D denies using voodoo on Bradley

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s mother continues to regale the press with her off-the-cuff remarks and uninhibited speeches made more pronounced by her thick Visayan accent.

She sent the crowd again roaring when she recounted her antics in between rounds of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight on April 12, where she was shown on television seemingly casting a spell on her son’s opponent.

Pacquiao’s mother sat near the ringside and was captured by HBO cameraman pointing her fingers to the ring and murmuring something.

No, Mommy D said she was not doing a voodoo spell. She was praying very hard that Bradley will lose by knockout. She was just too carried away as it was only the second time that she had seen her son live in boxing action.

The first time she watched her son at the Alamodome in Texas (in 2007 against Jorge Solis), she fainted before it was over.

But even in that moment, she was still able to add a silver lining to the otherwise fainting experience. It was her first time to ride an ambulance as she was brought to the hospital after losing consciousness.

Her son could only give a huge grin.

“She asked for sorry to Bradley after the fight,” the congressman from Sarangani said.

Pacquiao arrived in General Santos on Good Friday, April 18, after more than a month in the US where he wound up his training.

(RELATED: Appreciate Manny Pacquiao while we still have him)

He immediately proceeded to the Sun City Suites for thanksgiving and a press conference.

Portent of Bradley’s defeat

The Filipino fighting congressman said Bradley’s corner was apologetic in the dugout prior to the fight.

Pacquiao said Bradley’s trainer asked for apology for the remarks Bradley made in the build up to the fight.

It was, Pacquiao said, made up for promotion.

“At that moment, I knew they are already accepting defeat,” Pacquiao said.
He matched her mother’s humor when he said he was about to call her mom to the ring when Bradley refused to go down.

“Tatawagin ko sana si Mommy D, eh (I was about to call Mommy D)” he said.
But frankly, Pacquiao said, Bradley was very tough.

No retirement plans yet

Asked to react on a comment made by wife Jinkee after the fight where she was quoted as asking him to retire from boxing, Pacquiao said it is his decision alone when it comes to boxing although he will listen to advice from his wife.

“Mukhang hindi naman.  Kasi sa boxing, ang asawa ko nirerespeto ako na mag decide sa boxing,” the triumphant congressman said.

His mother has repeatedly appealed to her son to quit boxing, too.

But on Friday, he told her son prior to the fight to finish off Bradley and that if Pacquiao does not have any appetite to knock out his opponents, he should quit boxing.

Pacquiao did not knockout Bradley but Mommy D didn’t mind. She apparently is setting aside her pleas for Pacquiao to retire.

US$40,000 auction sale

Pacquiao also fielded questions on the proceeds of the boxing apparel he wore during the Bradley fight.

His boxing shorts and gloves were auctioned off to raise more funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda last year.

He said his shorts sold for US$30,000 and the gloves for US$10,000. – Rappler.com