Manny Pacquiao working out in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Later today, inside of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will entertain the media ahead of his April 12 rematch with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao vs. Bradley II will answer a lot of questions about each man and also hopefully put to rest any leftover controversy that came from Bradley’s hotly-disputed split-decision victory in their first match in June of 2012.
Catching up with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum recently, he seemed genuine with his enthusiasm towards his next pay per view showcase.
“I think both are extremely confident,” Arum said of Pacquiao and Bradley. “Both guys are talking about destroying the other guy. I think it’s going to be a very, very competitive, exciting fight.
“Freddie tells me how hard Manny is training and everything I hear from Palm Desert is that Bradley’s training equally as hard,” Arum added.
Asked if it is bittersweet to know that Pacquiao, 35, will likely soon be walking away from the game after so many years of excitement while collecting various accolades, Arum rolled with the punch.
“We all live in the twilight of our careers,” said Arum. “So am I in the twilight of my career. That’s part of teaching. Nothing in sports stays the same, whether you are an athlete or an owner or whatever. Time marches on.”
*** FOR A VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com