Pacquiao-Bradley LA Press Conference

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Big Joe Miranda

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs) and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (28-0, 12KOs) kicked off the press tour for their welterweight showdown Tuesday afternoon at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Pacquiao vs. Bradley will be for Pacquiao’s WBO Welterweight title live on pay per view and will take place Saturday June 9, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter Bob Arum as he welcomed the media in attendance at the Crystal Ballroom at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “We are going to see a boxing classic. I don’t have to oversell this fight. You have seen both fighters, how good they are and they come to fight.”

Before the two fighters stepped up, both the trainers had some words to say in regards to their fighters. Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz was introduced first.

“First of all, I want to thank Timothy Bradley for giving the opportunity and believing in me from day one, Top Rank, Manny Pacquiao, and Freddie for giving us the opportunity. I know June 9 is going to be a great fight. We come to fight that night, to beat Manny Pacquiao, not to survive. We are going be ready to win. I am going to train Bradley and prepare to go to war with all respect we are going to be victorious that night,” Diaz said.

Freddie Roach followed and said he knows what Bradley brings to the table. “It is nice to fight a fighter that is undefeated not worried about losing that zero on his record,” Roach told the media. “Timothy is a very tough opponent. He is very aggressive we will have to be at our best and we are going train our asses off and be ready for this one.”

Shortly after Timothy Bradley took the podium as he was introduced by Bob Arum. He showed great respect for Pacman, but made it clear what his objective would be on June 9. “Thank you all for being here as well as my team, trainer, manager, Top Rank and Manny Pacquiao for this opportunity,” Bradley said in welcoming everyone. “I am ready for this challenge. It will be hell in the ring with Pacquiao. I really like Manny. He is great in and out of the ring but I think June 9 it is my time you will see history being made.”

The champion and pride of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao would then take the stage, as he acknowledged his team. “I want to thank my team, Freddie, Alex, Mike, Top Rank, and also HBO, MGM Grand,” Pacquiao said in opening. “Please watch the upcoming fight June 9. It will be a good fight. Bradley is a good fighter and there will be a lot of action in the ring. Don’t miss it,” Pacquiao said.

As the press conference came to a conclusion, both fighters posed for the traditional press conference staredown as this fight has the makings to be good Welterweight bout. There were no pre-fight antics by either fighter but as the two stared at each other seriously, Pacquiao could not help but wink and laugh as Bradley began to laugh. Many people around would follow. Shortly after Pacquiao would grab a camera from a photographer and begin taking some photo shots at the media in attendance, as well as Timothy Bradley, as he stood on stage posing.

Manny Pacquiao is coming off another split decision win over his rival Juan Manuel Marquez last November. For Bradley the pride of Palm Springs, California is undefeated and coming off an impressive eight round stoppage over former two time world champion Joel Casamayor on the undercard of Pacquiao Marquez III.

“On June 9 you will see one hell of fight,”Arum said in closing Tuesday’s press conference.

The press conference tour continues on Thursday in New York at the Chelsea Piers in The Lighthouse at Pier 60 and it will be open to the public.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley will go on sale Next Friday! February 24 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, and will be priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200. Ticket sales 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. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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February 22nd, 2012

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