Joel Diaz to give Manny Pacquiao full credit if he finds a way to knock out Tim Bradley

Joel Diaz speaking at the final Manny Pacquaio vs. Tim Bradley press conference in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)

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By Chris Robinson

As with any high-profile prize fight, there are several storylines and subplots surrounding this weekend’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

All one has to do is take a look back as the first Pacquiao-Bradley match to get a sense of how high the emotions have been.

In June of 2012, Bradley handed Pacquiao his first defeat in seven years when he won a highly-controversial split-decision verdict over the Filipino icon.

Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz was able to experience first-hand the kind of backlash that came from his fighter’s victory and you can tell it’s a feeling he doesn’t want to experience again.

“Man, it affected us emotionally really bad,” Diaz stated at the final Pacquiao-Bradley II presser. “Because it just kept following us around. It’s like a ghost chasing you ya know? People don’t understand that we just come to work. People approached us as if we stole something from somebody. Like we’re the biggest thieves in the world.

“Now we are happy that we are back to set things straight,” Diaz added. “We’re coming in to fight very, very strong and beat Manny Pacquiao more decisive.”

I asked Diaz what he has seen from each man during this fight week in Las Vegas and he seems to question what version of Pacquiao will enter the ring on Saturday.

“I don’t see that spark in Manny,” Diaz explained of the eight-division world champion. “He’s a sleeping ogre but he’s going to wake up that night. We want the best Manny Pacquiao. Now that we are here, we don’t want no negative approaches going back home. At the end of the day, Timothy doesn’t get the credit.”

Diaz was even bold enough to suggest that Pacquiao is deserving of full glory if he can find a way to stop Bradley before twelve rounds are up.

“What we want is the best Manny Pacquiao there could possibly be,” Diaz explained. “If he knocks out Timothy Bradley, you know what? He was the best man that night and we go home happy. We’d rather go home with a good defeat than go home with the controversy like the last time we went home.”

*** Want more from Camp Pacquiao? Please click the thumbnails below…

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On Wednesday morning, Manny Pacquiao exuded a little bit of tranquility as he ran some laps with some members of his team at the UNLV track in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following his run, Pacquiao put in some strength and conditioning work and will be hosting the final press conference for his rematch with Tim Bradley later today at the MGM Grand.

Click on the thumbnail for a closer look..

 

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“Photos from the Wild Card Boxing Club and other spots in Los Angeles as undefeated lightweight prospect Lydell Rhodes (19-0, 9 KO’s) enjoys his time as a chief sparring for eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Check out the thumbnail on the left for an all-access look at Rhodes in training, running Griffith Park, chilling with Miguel Cotto, and more.”

 

*** FOR  A  BONUS VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…

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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com

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