By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs) has declared himself ready for his June 9 showdown with Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (28-0,12KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs. Bradley will be for Pacquiao’s WBO Welterweight title. The Pacman continued his preparation Wednesday as he worked out for the media in a crowded Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California. “Training camp is good and I am ready,” Pacquiao told Fightnews.com.
The eight-time and current world champion was mobbed by photographers and videographers as he arrived to the Wild Card Gym. “I believe Bradley is hungry to win this fight and I am sure he has trained hard for this fight,” Pacquiao boxing writers inside a stuffy dressing room that had everyone inside sweating.
As always Manny Pacquiao looked sharp a Wednesday’s workout as he hit the mitts working combinations with trainer Freddie Roach. “Bradley comes forward and comes in head first a lot with the overhand right. We are expecting a good fight,” Freddie Roach told Fightnews.com.
“Manny is looking very good training for this fight we have brought in some fighters to help with Bradley’s style,” Roach added. In preparation for Timothy Bradley, Freddie has brought in Russian Jr. Welterweight Ruslan Provodnikov (21-1, 14KOs), Roger Gonzalez (27-5, 18) and Jr. Welterweight prospect Kevin Hoskins (6-1-1, 4KOs) to spar with Manny.
“We have some good sparring to prepare for Bradley’s style and when hitting the mitts we are working on a strategy to avoid head butts,” Pacquiao told Fightnews.com.
Pacman began his preparation for Timothy Bradley back home in the Philippines and returned to Hollywood May 5 to resume his training at the Wild Card Gym. With a little bit over a week to go Pacquiao looks focused and ready, as he has taken a religious and spiritual approach leading to this fight. “God is the only one who gives me strength and power every day. I trained hard for this fight. We did our best in training camp I am ready. Everything is in the hands of God.”
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Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, will be televised live on HBO Pay Per View at 9:00 p.m.ET/6:00 PT. Tickets are priced at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two (2) per person.
