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Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

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The Filipino boxing icon improved to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 wins inside the distance as he regained the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title he lost to Bradley in June 2012.

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Although he couldn’t get his first knockout win since 2009, Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight promise to come out with more aggression, denying Bradley’s avowed aim of sending him into retirement with another defeat.

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“I think I can go another two years,” said Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. “I’m so happy to be world champion again. Tim Bradley was not an easy fight.”

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Bradley, who said he fought from the first round with a right calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 knockouts.

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“Life goes on,” Bradley said of his first pro defeat. “It’s back to the gym. Not a big deal.”

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Judge Glen Trowbridge scored the bout 118-110 for Pacquiao, while Michael Pernick and Canada’s Craig Metcalf saw it 116-112 for the “Pacman”, whose every move was cheered by the star-studded crowd of 15,601.

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After a tight first round, Pacquiao made his power felt in the second.

The third saw both fighters exchange at a furious rate, Pacquiao again landing the more damaging blows.

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But Bradley shook Pacquiao in the fourth, and Pacquiao said California’s “Desert Storm” was an improved fighter from the one who took a bitterly debated split decision in their first fight.

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Although the pace slowed in the later rounds, Pacquiao put together multi-punch combinations in the seventh and out-worked Bradley in the remaining rounds.

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After throwing few punches in the 11th, a desperate Bradley swung wildly in the 12th, and Pacquiao finished the fight with a cut over his left eye from a clash of heads late in the final round.

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http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-pacquiao-avenges-bradley-loss-mega-gallery–76669

If you listen really carefully, you could hear the sound of laughter. Where is it coming from? From the Palm Springs area in the Southern California desert.

Still do not have an idea who it is coming from? Well, he was criticized by the media and diehard boxing fans for passing up on a guaranteed payday against Amir Khan last year and is about to step inside the ring against Manny Pacquiao this Saturday night.

Timothy Bradley had heard all the criticisms before, yet stood steadfast on his decision and the hope that there would be a big payday down the road.

That hope became a reality when he signed the contract and is only days away from taking on the one of if not the pound for pound boxer today.

Bradley will face Pacquiao in a 12 round bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. The bout will headline an eight-bout card, presented by Top Rank. The card will be televised on HBO Pay Per View.

Lost in the buildup and hype of the bout is that Bradley is challenging for Pacquiao’s world title belt. However, the bigger prize for Bradley is to assume the mythical title of pound for pound fighter, to certain members of the media, and cashing his biggest payday as a professional fighter.

Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) is coming off an eighth round technical knockout over faded former world champion Joel Casamayor back in November. Ironically, Bradley appeared on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III bout, which Pacquiao won by a disputed 12 round majority decision.

Prior to the Casamayor fight, Bradley was involved in a roller coaster of events. After defeating Devon Alexander in January of last year, Bradley had a guaranteed $1.4 million payday waiting for him and a potential deal lined up to fight Amir Khan.

However, that deal never materialized as Bradley was involved in promotional issues with Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing. After being sued by both promotional companies and waiting for his contract with both promotional companies to expire, Bradley signed on with Top Rank.

The move by Bradley and manager Cameron Dunkin was widely criticized by the media, especially when there was a guaranteed payday of almost $1.5 million for Bradley after his victory over Alexander.

However, the decision by Bradley turned out to be a shrewd and wise one as he will be making about five million dollars for the fight, about the same amount that Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley made. Marquez and Mosley were Pacquiao’s last two opponents. Not to mention that he has a legitimate opportunity to defeat Pacquiao.

“I heard all the criticisms from the media regarding that deal,” Bradley told Fightnews.com over the phone on Tuesday afternoon. “I didn’t care about what they said about me. I knew there was a better opportunity out there for me and I capitalized on it. Cameron Dunkin deserves the credit for working hard and making this fight happen.”

“When it was all said and done, I was the one who had the last laugh.”

However, the last laugh would be to defeat the popular Filipino fighter, an achievement nobody has done since Erik Morales defeated Pacquiao back in March of 2005.

Bradley’s style could give Pacquiao problems as Bradley has shown in previous fights to press the fight and be the aggressor in an attempt to back up his opponents. However, Bradley has shown in the last couple of years that he could box and not just come forward and throw wild punches.

Bradley’s speed and tenacity could work for him or against him, but one thing that he does not lack is confidence, something that he has showing more of during press conferences and on the hit HBO series, 24/7: Pacquiao-Bradley.

“I talk more now because I have a lot of confidence in what I do. I didn’t have as much confidence as I do now and now that I have that confidence, I’m more open. It’s through all that hard work that I’ve put in with my team (his trainer Joe Diaz and his father, Timothy, Sr.) over the years.”

While Bradley admits that the intensity of this camp has been the most strenuous of his career, he has not had any outside the gym distractions like Pacquiao has had in leading up to Saturday’s fight.

Aside from the hardcore training regimen one is accustomed to seeing in the gym by Pacquiao, most of the news on Pacquiao has been on him participating in bible readings due to prior infidelity issues and the ongoing drama between trainer Freddie Roach and strength/ conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Bradley does not think that will be a problem for Pacquiao, wanting to fight him at his best and not because of any distractions. Bradley would know about bible readings as he is deeply religious and involved in his church back home in the Coachella Valley.

“Manny is a good fighter and a professional. Being at those bible readings will help make him a stronger person. I don’t think any of those issues with Freddie and Ariza will get to him. He’ll still have both guys in his corner.”

After a stellar amateur career that began when he was 10 years old, Bradley began his professional career almost eight years ago at an outdoor warehouse yard in Corona, CA. No one at the venue knew that night Bradley, nine days shy of his 21st birthday, would be in the position where he is now based on his second round technical knockout over Francisco Martinez.

The Bradley fight opened the card for fighters such as Chris Arreola and Josesito Lopez that night.

Bradley has worked hard to get to where he is at now. While some favor for Pacquiao to win on Saturday night, it has not hurt the ego or confidence of Bradley. He has heard it all too often in the past and has enjoyed proving naysayers wrong.

He did so when he traveled to England and defeated Junior Witter to win his first world title belt. He did so when he got up from being knocked down twice to defeat Kendall Holt.

He is confident he will do the same on Saturday night against Pacquiao.

“I have motivation to fight for my family, but I also have the motivation to prove these people wrong. A victory over Manny will just be the beginning for me. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I’m at now.”

“I can’t wait to fight on June 9th.”

A victory on June 9th will indeed give Bradley the last laugh.

 

Story by Francisco Salazar
Photos by Chris Cozzone

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/bradley-ready-to-have-last-laugh-117584

Hollywood, Ca.  — “STORM WARNING IN LA” — Undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.(ctr), dad Ray Bradley (L) and trainer Joel Diaz(R) and unidentified member(back left) pose during a jam-packed media day Tuesday in preparation for his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against  superstar Manny Pacquiao. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53407

 WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12KOs) has issued a warning to WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs), to be prepared for a rough fight on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Bradley plans to take every tool away from Pacquiao, target his body, apply pressreu and if Pacquiao is not presenting a threat with his well known power combinations – then Bradley will bring the fight to the champion.”I systematically break guys down. I get in the ring, they said that I don’t have any power but once I get in there and they feel my strength – I start laying hands on them and then they start getting defensive and start holding me. In my last couple of fights, guys were just holding me. It makes it hard for me to really get my work in. I systematically break ’em down. I take every punch away from them, starting with the jab. I take that away. Then I take their straight left away, go to the body and break ’em down….apply the pressure. And if he’s not hitting hard in there and I don’t feel threatened – I’ll take it to you,” Bradley said.

 

By Osman Rodriguez

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53265

New York, N.Y.  —  Undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.(R) arrives in New York late Tuesday night with his trainer Joel Diaz(L) on the cross-country media tour to promote his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao. Bradley is in town for a Thursday press conference at Chelsea Piers-Pier 61.  Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on Pay Per View.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49856

 

 

 

WBO junior welterweight Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12KOs) is very, very determined to become the first boxer to defeat Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs) since 2005. Last week, Bradley signed a contract to challenge Pacquiao for the WBO’s welterweight title on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Bradley sat down with BoxingScene.com to discuss the biggest fight of his career.

BoxingScene.com: You’ve noticed Pacquiao having some issues in his last couple of fights. Do you believe that he’s finally slowing down?

Bradley: I don’t know if he’s slowing down, but he’s had a lot of complications and excuses the last couple of times. Everybody is pointing fingers and saying ‘Pacquiao didn’t do this’ or ‘Pacquiao didn’t listen to this.’ I’m really curious though. I’m real curious [to see] if that’s true or not.

I think right now is the best time to face Pacquiao, [who is] coming off a kind of controversial win with [Juan Manuel] Marquez. Marquez is a great fighter, a great counter-puncher and just a great fighter – but he’s 38-years-old. He’s not like he used to be 38. He’s not fresh like he used to be, when he was in his 20’s.

BoxingScene.com: The qualities that you bring to the fight.

Bradley: I’m very young, determined. I’m the young lion. I can box, as well as brawl, and I can counter-punch as well. I love to counter-punch. I’m quick; I can get in and out from danger. I have great defense. I feel like I’m a major step for Pacquiao. I think it’s a winnable fight for me.

BoxingScene.com: Last year, everybody gave you a lot of heat for taking a pass on the Amir Khan fight. And now you’ve landed one of the two biggest names in the sport, for considerably more money than what you would have made for Khan.

Bradley: I’m excited that he’s decided to challenge me. I’m excited that my manager Cameron Dunkin, the best manager in the game hands down – he definitely delivered. And of course I thank my wife and Team Bradley for always believing in me and always pushing me hard in training camp. We knew what we were trying to do. We always had a goal and that’s to face the best in our minds. And I stuck to it and now look at this. Everyone was giving me [hell] about the Amir Khan thing. You know what, this is the real deal right now and we’re fighting the best fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao.

BoxingScene.com: Pacquiao seems to struggle with pure counter-punchers. That’s not really your style of fighting. Do you believe that you might have to counter-punch more often in this fight?

Bradley: I really don’t know. I haven’t been in the ring with him yet. I really don’t know exactly on how it’s going to go. It all depends on how Pacquiao comes out and then I’ll make my adjustments in there. I already have a couple of game plans in my mind. When I get into the fight, I should prevail, I should definitely prevail…land shots on Pacquiao that other fighters didn’t land and get out of trouble….counter-punch when I need to. I know Pacquiao likes to come forward and likes to bang as well.

BoxingScene.com: Thoughts on Pacquiao’s power.

Bradley: If he catches me on the chin flush and I don’t go anywhere – it’s going to be a long night baby. I have a really good chin. I have a solid chin. I’ve been down officially one time. I don’t count that second knockdown with Kendall Holt. I don’t count that bro. I didn’t even go down. The first knockdown of course, a punch that I didn’t see. He has power. I know he has 13 knockouts or so, but he has power. I don’t know if Manny can hit harder than that. Honestly, I don’t know. Kendall is a big guy, naturally bigger than Manny and he’s very strong. When I fought him he was primetime. We’ll have to see. After the first round…I’ll know what I can do after the first round.

Boxingscene.com: When you previously made a move to welterweight in 2010, against Carlos Abregu, most people felt that you didn’t look the same as you usually do at 140-pounds. Was there anything that you did wrong, maybe with bulking up, that you plan to change for this fight?

Bradley: At that time, I worked on one game plan for Abregue and he came in with a whole different strategy. I thought he was going to be aggressive and that he was going to come forward and bang me out, but then he came with a whole different strategy. He was the bigger guy, but he laid back and was trying to lure me in. I was like ‘man, we didn’t train for this.’

Abregua was trying to box a little bit. He was using his jab and trying to set me up for counters and jabs. I was amazed. It kind of threw me off. When I watched tapes, he came in like a wildman with other guys. I think by that, coming in and having to make the adjustments in the ring – it kind of threw me off. He was also a little awkward to hit, to catch his timing.

 

By Rick Reeno

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49560

 

Last week, WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao chose undefeated Tim Bradley to be his next opponent.  The undefeated junior welterweight champion was selected from a list of four fighters that also included Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Lamont Peterson.  During the selection process, Pacquiao received criticism for having two junior welterweights in Bradley and Peterson on his short list of opponents.  Some critics said that those fighters would be too small for Pacquiao even though the Filipino icon typically weighs in far below the welterweight limit and seems to be a natural junior welterweight himself.

BoxingScene.com recently caught up with Bradley to get his opinion on moving up in weight to face Pacquiao.  Bradley immediately debunked the theory that he will be too small for Pacquiao and said that there is a good chance he will be the heavier man on fight night.

“When I enter the ring I will probably be 150 or 151 pounds, give or take a pound or two,” Bradley told Boxingscene.com.

The Southern California based Bradley also said that he regularly fought in the 152 pound weight class in the amateurs and that he will have more power as a welterweight.  In July of 2010 Bradley soundly defeated Luis Carlos Abregu in his HBO debut in a fight fought at the welterweight limit.

“147 is my natural weight.  People don’t know but in the amateurs I fought at 152 pounds,” stated Bradley.  “People say I don’t have power but it is a real struggle to get down to 140.  I walk around at 160 or more.  I will be a lot more comfortable and have more pop at 147.  People will see that on June 9th,” he continued.

Pacquiao-Bradley takes place on June 9th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV and will be broadcast by HBO pay-per-view.

 

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49507

WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12KOs) doesn’t consider himself as “the smaller man” in the upcoming fight with Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs), the WBO’s champion at 147-pounds. During his amateur career, Bradley was fighting at 147, and then moved up to 152 when he tried to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team. Bradley previously fought at 147 in 2010 and won a twelve round decision over Carlos Abregu on HBO.

Bradley says that he walks around at 160, 165-pounds, while Pacquiao walks around at a lower weight. He says Pacquiao’s strong legs, where some believe his power comes from, is the only size difference.

“A lot of people think I’m the smaller guy, that I’m the little guy,” Bradley told hometown paper The Desert Sun. “This is what the public doesn’t realize, when I was 16, I didn’t fight at 118. I fought at 152 pounds when I was 16. I naturally walk around at 160, 165 pounds. Manny probably gets no higher than 155, maybe 150 walking around. I’m a naturally bigger guy even though I fought at 140 and he fought at 147.

“If you look at my muscle mass, his muscle mass, I’m the bigger guy. What Manny does have is bigger legs. His legs are ridiculous. Where he makes up for it is his leg, I make up for it with the top half of my body. I’m used to fighting guys 6-0, 5-10. So the whole power thing of me being the little guy, you can throw that out the window. That won’t be the case during the fight.”

 

By Edward Chaykovsky

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49406

When boxing champion Timothy Bradley makes his Las Vegas debut Saturday, fans from the desert will be rooting for the Cathedral City product — both for who he is and what he represents.

Those who knew Bradley as a youth through his days at Cathedral City High School remember a dedicated athlete who talked about his dreams of fighting in Las Vegas.

Then there are those who discovered Bradley after he became a world champion, and see a role model and example of what can happen through hard work.

One local youth, 13-year-old Dominic Serna, trains at the Indio Boys and Girls Club, sparring in the same ring and hitting the same heavy bags as Bradley.

“It makes me feel like I’m training with the top fighters,” said Serna, one of the top young fighters in the area and in the country. “To be here in the same gym is a privilege. I don’t know him on a personal level, but I know him as a hard worker and very supportive.

“He’s humble. He treats everyone like he would treat anyone else.”

For nearly two years, Bradley has been recognized as one of the 10 best fighters in the world regardless of weight class. On Saturday, Bradley will defend his WBO title against 1992 Olympian Joel Casamayor at the MGM Grand.

A victory by Bradley could mean a chance at a big-time fight against Manny Pacquiao, regarded as one of the top two stars in the sport. Pacquiao is fighting the main event Saturday against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Timothy proves that anything is possible,” said Marcos Caballero a boxing trainer with Coachella Valley Boxing Club whose son Randy is a promising prospect. “We all come from the same neighborhoods and for the kids, it’s a motivation to make it as far as he did.

“It will open the door for the amateur fighters we have.”

While Bradley mostly works out in the east valley, he has deep roots in the west side. He was born and raised in Palm Springs and went to school at Cathedral City High School, where his father, Tim Sr., is a security guard.

Bradley still lives in Cathedral City and is president of the Cathedral City Lions Junior All American Football program. His wife, Monica, serves as commissioner and his stepson, Robert, plays.

For many of the teachers and coaches who remembered Bradley at Cathedral City High School, they have a rooting interest. They have organized viewing of Saturday’s fight at Buffalo Wild Wings at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert. Proceeds from the food sales will go to the Cathedral City High School athletic program.

“It’s been very exciting. Everyone is on the edge of their seat,” said Lisa Johnson, a physical education teacher at Cathedral City High who taught Bradley and his wife. “We know how important these next fights are.

“He’s on the brink of being a household name.”

Many of the Cathedral City coaches had planned to attend the fight in Las Vegas until they saw the $500 price tag. A lot of the coaches had gone to Bradley’s fights when they were at The Show inside the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.

“We were all spoiled. His wife Monica could get us tickets,” Johnson said. “Now we’re just trying to find that good spot to watch it together.”

Rob Hanmer, the former basketball coach at Cathedral City, said he still remembers teaching sixth-period PE, and Bradley was one of 10 athletes in the class who had the ability to earn a college scholarship.

But Bradley didn’t compete in the main sports of football or basketball despite the urging of the coaches. Because Bradley was working toward a shot on the Olympic boxing team, his father did not allow his son to play any sport where he could suffer an injury.

Hanmer, however, told Bradley he would make a spot for him on the basketball team if he could convince his father.

“He was excited about the opportunity,” Hanmer said. “He was in the gym, and then his dad came in and snatched him and put him back in the weight room. That ended his basketball career.”

Although Bradley stands at 5-foot-6, Hanmer said he had no doubt he could be successful on the basketball court.

“He has an unbelievable work ethic and really, really positive attitude,” Hanmer said. ”He was one of those kids trying to do the right things and work hard. Those are the kind of people you want to coach if you get the opportunity.”

But Hanmer and all the coaches knew Bradley was fully dedicated to becoming a boxer. It’s what they admired about him.

“Even when he was in high school, he had that drive and dedication,” said Johnson, a physical education teacher and former softball coach at Cathedral City High School. “You see something in a person, even at a young age. He had that drive. We see so many young people who have physical tools, but don’t have the heart. He had both at a very young age, that drive and heart.”

Cathedral City resident Brandon Revis, 29, went to school and church with Bradley and his family. Today, Revis’ 9-year-old son Adam plays in Bradley’s football program. But Revis said he can remember in high school how Bradley always talked about being a world champion and fighting in Las Vegas.

“This is great because he will do something he’s wanted to do his whole life,” said Revis. “I’m excited for him. He’s a disciplined, loyal and great guy.”

Bradley had to miss his 10-year high school reunion last weekend, but he is still visible at Cathedral City, training at the school and showing up at football games.

“He’s very humble, but he has a great personality,” Hanmer said. “He stops by school and says hello. He’s a part of our community. Even though he’s rich and famous, he’s still a person who comes to a football game and says hello to everyone. He’s a really good person.”

Bradley is also touching a younger generation of boxers, much like what his trainer Joel Diaz and his two brothers did before.

Bradley grew up idolizing the Diaz brothers, who were top prospects and all three fought for world titles, with youngest Julio becoming a two-time IBF lightweight champion.

Today, Bradley is setting an example like the Diaz brothers before him.

“I take my hat off to him; he’s proven a lot in the sport,” said Randy Caballero, a professional fighter with Golden Boy Promotions and top attraction at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “What he’s doing is good for the sport and he sets a good example. If you stick to it, you can do what you love.

“The impact to the valley, he sets the tone. Some people don’t know him and I wish his name was bigger. With what he’s accomplished, his name should be out there because what he’s done is not easy.”

Written by: Leighton Ginn (The Desert Sun)

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111108/SPORTS03/111080313/Determined-Timothy-Bradley-defend-title-Saturday-Vegas

Timothy Bradley began boxing at age 10. As an amateur, Bradley had a great record, including over 140 amateur bouts. He won titles at the PAL National Tournament, and became the Under 19 National Tournament Champion and the Jr. Golden Gloves Champion.

Bradley was also a two-time National Champion and before turning professional was ranked 3rd in the nation. Bradley started his professional career in August of 2004 against Francisco Martinez in Corona, California with a TKO in the 2nd round. His won his first title in 2005 when he defeated Francisco Rincon by unanimous decision and claimed the vacant WBC Youth Welterweight Title.

Bradley made four successful title defenses, and in 2008 won his first world title by defeating Junior Witter by split decision to claim the WBC Jr. Welterweight title. After one successful defense, Bradley went on to unify the titles by defeating Kendall Holt by unanimous decision. He was now the WBO/WBC Jr. Welterweight

Champion. In January 2011, Bradley had his most notable win when he defeated then undefeated Jr. Welterweight champ Devon Alexander. When asked why he is known as “Desert Storm”, Bradley explains he offers his opponents and his fans an all-out war each time he steps in the ring and this was a great way to honor all the service men and women that have successfully defended our country.

REGIONAL TITLES:

1. WBC Youth World Jr. Welterweight Champion

WORLD TITLES:

1. WBC Jr. Welterweight Champion (twice)

2. WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion