Click the thumbnail for early insider predictions on a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley, including thoughts from Floyd Mayweather Sr., Roy Jones Jr., Zab Judah, Larry Merchant, Nate Campbell, Roger Mayweather, and others…
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Is a Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch on its way? (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
As the weeks pass by, the boxing world continues to wait for the official confirmation of Manny Pacquiao’s next ring foe.
Coming off of a solid performance this past November that saw him win convincingly against Brandon Rios over 12 rounds, Pacquiao is slated for an April return to the ring in Las Vegas.
Despite some confusion regarding a potential rematch with Tim Bradley, there still is a realistic chance that Pacquiao could end up facing the Palm Springs star again in an effort to erase the controversial split-decision loss he suffered against him in June of 2012.
For the past weeks I’ve gathered some thoughts from various boxing minds on the prospect of Pacquiao vs. Bradley II. Read below to see what everyone is saying.
“That’s a tough fight and that’s the fight I’d like to see. Pacquiao would have to do the same thing he did in the first fight. Bradley would have to make some adjustments because he never really got to Pacquiao in the first fight like he wanted to.” – Four division world champion Roy Jones Jr.
“I would stick with Pacquiao. He’s just stronger, faster, and the first fight wasn’t too convincing for the fight to go on Bradley’s side. I think that will play a role for Pacquiao and make him come in more aggressive where he wants to make a statement and knock him out.” – Undefeated welterweight contender Jessie Vargas
“Pacquiao might pull that off. I’m just saying myself from the first fight, it depends on what you thought about it. I just see a different fight.” – Outspoken trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
“I think it would a good fight for all the fans. Boxing always needs another warrior in there and Tim Bradley, no matter what he says, he goes in and he fights his ass off. I think the second time around it will be a bigger, wider margin [for Bradley].” – Junior lightweight contender Diego Magdaleno
“To get that fight [Bradley] might have to extend his contract with Top Rank. Then you see what happens. Maybe he wins legitimately or decisively the next time out. How does that change the landscape? How big would that possibly make a fight with Mayweather and would that put pressure on both promoters to make an agreement for that fight?” – Former HBO analyst Larry Merchant
“You know what? I don’t think much of Bradley as a puncher, but Bradley’s going to do everything he can to win. But Bradley knows he can’t keep Pacquiao off of him. This time around, Pacquiao might hurt Bradley. If Pacquiao gets in shape like Pacquiao can get in, not only will he walk right through Bradley, he’s liable to ruin Bradley.” – Former lightweight champion Nate Campbell
“That’s a very interesting fight. Like I tell people, Bradley is one of the hardest-fighting people in boxing. He throws 90-million punches; he’s going to be on you for three minutes and 12 rounds. If you fight Tim, you’re going to come to fight. He’s a tough dude; he can box. Listen, I like the guy.” – Former two-division champion Zab Judah
“He can fight Bradley; that’s a good fight for him. Timothy Bradley is a good fight for him. I think he’s going to give Pacquiao problems anyways. The thing of it is, hey, it’s going to be a good fight. One way or the other it’s still a good fight.” – The always unabashed Roger Mayweather, former two-division world champion and current day trainer
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley coverage as well as other boxing updates…
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Chris Robinson continues to speak with boxing legend and former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. in Big Bear, Calif. as he gives his thoughts on the return of Manny Pacquiao this past November as well as a rematch with Tim Bradley.
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Chris Robinson continues to speak with boxing legend and former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. in Big Bear, Calif. as he gives his thoughts on the return of Manny Pacquiao this past November as well as a rematch with Tim Bradley
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Chris Robinson continues to speak to Diego and Jessie Magdaleno inside of the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada as they speak on the big year from Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
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Chris Robinson continues to speak to Diego and Jessie Magdaleno inside of the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, Nevada as they speak on the big year from Floyd Mayweather in 2013.
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Chris Robinson speaks with strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia in Montreal, Canada during the Jean Pascal vs. Lucian Bute fight week, as he takes a look at his other client Yuriorkis Gamboa and the possiblity of him facing off with Manny Pacquiao in April.
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Chris Robinson speaks with strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia in Montreal, Canada during the Jean Pascal vs. Lucian Bute fight week, as he takes a look at his other client Yuriorkis Gamboa and the possiblity of him facing off with Manny Pacquiao in April
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Strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia in Montreal (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
At the moment, the city of Montreal is buzzing over this weekend’s big showdown between former champions and transplanted residents Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute.
While at Pascal’s open media workout in advance of the HBO clash at the Bell Centre, I crossed paths with his strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia, who keeps himself busy each year with a bevy of clients that also include Juan Manuel Marquez, Jhonny Gonzalez, and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Gamboa saw his name thrust into the headlines recently when it was revealed by Michael Koncz that the former featherweight titlist was being considered as a potential foe for Manny Pacquiao’s April return in Las Vegas.
It was puzzling to hear such rumors but Heredia seems open to the match.
“I’m surprised but I think it can happen at 140,” Heredia stated. “I spoke to Gamboa yesterday and he said he’s ready to take on anyone. I just hope that there’s enough boxers that have the courage to confront this great fighter.”
Gamboa had expressed deep interest in a match with junior lightweight champion Mikey Garcia and Heredia was asked whether the Riverside tactician or Pacquiao would be a more difficult test for his charge.
“I think Manny Pacquiao,” Heredia answered. “Because of his speed. He’s accurate, he’s fast. He wants to redeem himself. Mikey Garcia is a great fighter too. He’s very technical, very tricky because he’s very accurate [with] his punches. He’s a good hitter but he’s not as fast. I guess it’s about styles.”
Heredia is no stranger to facing Pacquiao, as he was in camp with Marquez for two of his matches against the Filipino star. The last one, in December of 2012, saw Marquez drill Pacquiao with a counter right hand in the sixth round of another memorable fight.
And perhaps for those reasons Heredia actually would prefer another melee with Manny.
“Frankly I feel more comfortable with Pacquiao, because I know him a little bit better,” stated Heredia.
It should be noted that Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has since denied that Gamboa is in the running to face Pacquiao.
FOR MORE COVERAGE of Manny Pacquiao, flash back to the ‘Best of Pacquiao’ photo galleries below…
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Chris Robinson and other boxing media catch up with welterweight contender Jessie Vargas (23-0, 9 KO’s) in Las Vegas, as he speaks on his upcoming title shot vs. WBA junior welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev, the proposed Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch, his work with his new trainer Ismael Salas.
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Chris Robinson and other boxing media catch up with welterweight contender Jessie Vargas (23-0, 9 KO’s) in Las Vegas, as he speaks on his upcoming title shot vs. WBA junior welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev, the proposed Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch, his work with his new trainer Ismael Salas.
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Chris Robinson continues to speak with the Magdaleno brothers in Las Vegas inside of the Top Rank Gym as they reveal what it’s been like training in Indio, Calif. with WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley. The brothers also speak on a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao
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Chris Robinson continues to speak with the Magdaleno brothers in Las Vegas inside of the Top Rank Gym as they reveal what it’s been like training in Indio, Calif. with WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley. The brothers also speak on a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao
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HustleBoss.com offers up a unique view of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, chronicling his most candid moments as a fighter in this multi-page, mega photo gallery.
In this gallery, we look at Pacquiao’s return victory against Brandon Rios this past November and the moments leading up to the fight.
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com (All photos courtesy of Chris Farina – Top Rank)
HustleBoss.com offers up a unique view of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, chronicling his most candid moments as a fighter in this multi-page, mega photo gallery.
In this gallery, we step inside of the famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles for some all-access coverage.
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com (Photos courtesy of Chris Farina – Top Rank)
HustleBoss.com offers up a unique view of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, chronicling his most candid moments as a fighter in this multi-page, mega photo gallery.
In this gallery, award-winning photographer Naoki Fukuda shows off some of his best coverage of the Filipino star.
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com (Photos courtesy of Chris Farina – Top Rank)
HustleBoss.com offers up a unique view of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, chronicling his most candid moments as a fighter in this multi-page, mega photo gallery.
In this gallery, we look at Pacquiao’s strong connection with his trainer Freddie Roach both in and out of the ring.
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com (Photos courtesy of Chris Farina – Top Rank)
HustleBoss.com offers up a unique view of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, chronicling his most candid moments as a fighter in this multi-page, mega photo gallery.
In this gallery, we look back to Pacquiao’s heartbreaking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December of 2012 in Las Vegas.
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com (Photos courtesy of Chris Farina – Top Rank)
Tim Bradley and Manny Pacquiao facing off in June of last year (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
At the moment, the next opponent for Manny Pacquiao is still undecided, with Ruslan Provodnikov and Tim Bradley in the running for the shot.
During a recent conversation with veteran color analyst Larry Merchant, he reflected back on Bradley’s memorable 2013 campaign and the topic of a second encounter with Pacquiao.
“He’s making some serious money these days,” Merchant said of Bradley. “And to get that fight he might have to extend his contract with Top Rank. Then you see what happens. Maybe he wins legitimately or decisively the next time out. How does that change the landscape?”
Merchant then expressed some interest in Bradley one day challenging Floyd Mayweather in a high-stakes showdown that would undoubtedly need to see either Golden Boy Promotions, who assist staging Floyd’s fights, or Top Rank, who handle Pacquiao, bend in their ongoing cold war.
“How big would that possibly make a fight with Mayweather and would that put pressure on both promoters to make an agreement for that fight?” Merchant asked. “I don’t think any of us really know at this point because it’s going to depend on whether the fight with Pacquiao gets made and how he does in that fight.”
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
Gennady Golovkin training inside of the Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif. (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
Having been swinging through the Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif. for the past year and a half on a consistent basis, I’ve become quite familiar with the characteristics of trainer Abel Sanchez’s star fighter Gennady Golovkin.
The sport’s reigning WBA middleweight champion, Golovkin’s fiery style in the ring is coupled with a low-key and unassuming personality that beguiles his penchant for brutality when fighting.
I never expect Golovkin to get too bold during our conversations but was taken aback just slightly during our last dialogue, as we discussed such boxing topics as the rumored Floyd Mayweather vs. Amir Khan fight, his Feb. 1 title defense against Osumanu Adama in Monte Carlo, Marcos Maidana’s thrilling victory over Adrien Broner, and the return of Manny Pacquiao.
Turning his attention to Pacquiao’s Nov. 23 showcase against Brandon Rios, a fight in which the Filipino star showed excellent skills and fortitude in capturing a unanimous decision, Golovkin understands just how important this victory was in the wake of Manny’s shocking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez nearly one year prior.
“This is the first step for him,” Golovkin stated. “The first step for everybody, the fans, the TV. He’s come back. It’s great.”
As the dust settles, the boxing world looks ahead to Pacquiao’s forthcoming pay per view match in April against an opponent to be determined.
There is a strong possibility that Pacquiao could end up facing his former sparring mate and current WBO junior welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov, who has seen his status in the sport skyrocket this past year with thrilling wars against Tim Bradley and Mike Alvarado.
The respect from Golovkin is easily spotted, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he thinks Provodnikov is going to be competitive if such a fight materializes.
“You know, I know Ruslan,” Golovkin explained. “I respect him. I think he’s nothing for Manny. He doesn’t have a chance.
“This is boxing,” Golovkin added. “I think he’s no problem for Manny.”
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
