PACQUIAO: “Freddie Likes KOs, I Like To Make Freddie Happy”

A little over a month till we get to see if Timothy Bradley has really, truly passed Manny Pacquiao on the pound for pound list. Let's check in with both men, and check out their first blog postings as they ready themselves for the rematch, which will run on HBO PPV.

Manny Pacquiao Write-up/Blog 1: Monday, March 17

Question For Manny Pacquiao – The perception is that you sacrificed punching power against Rios in favor of speed in order to outbox him. How much did the result of the Marquez fight impact your strategy against Rios? What will be your strategy against Bradley?

“I was very happy with my performance against Brandon Rios. Speed has always been a major weapon for me and I used it throughout the fight against Rios for one simple reason – it was working. The power is still there and I used it effectively against Rios to keep him off balance. Freddie and I came up with the game plan to mix things up against Rios. I would utilize my speed and foot movement in boxing him to keep him off balance then when he would come in out of frustration I would land the power punches.

“The one thing I learned from my fight against Marquez was patience. When I had him teetering I became reckless and went in to finish him. I was careless and he landed the perfect punch. That was learning a lesson the hard way. But I learned it. I still have the killer instinct. I am not afraid to use my power and go for the knockout. But I will remember the lesson I learned from my last fight with Marquez. Knockouts need to come naturally, you should not force them. But Freddie likes knockouts and I like to make Freddie happy.

“I won at least 10 rounds against Tim Bradley the first time we fought. I intend to win all the rounds against him this time regardless of the length of the fight. He said I have lost my hunger and that my time is over. Everything I am doing in training camp is aimed at proving to him just how wrong he is. I have all the respect for Bradley and what he has accomplished but I have no fear of him. He has inspired me to exceed my previous performances inside the ring. If Bradley wants to meet the fighter who stopped Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, he’s going to get his wish on April 12.”

Timothy Bradley Jr. Write-up/Blog 1: Monday, March 17

Question for Timothy Bradley – Discuss 2013 and how your fights against Provodnikov & Marquez solidified you as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world.

??“2013 was a great year for me. I started out the year fighting a guy who wasn't very well known outside the boxing community by the name of Ruslan Provodnikov. You might have heard of him by now since our fight was voted, “Fight Of The Year” by the Boxing Writers of America. Ruslan has also gone on to win a Jr. Welterweight title and has moved into many peoples top 10 pound for pound lists.

“My second fight of 2013 was against a current top five pound for pound guy that had just come off of the KO of the year against Manny Pacquiao, the future hall of famer Juan Manuel Marquez. This fight unlike the Provodnikov fight was a chess match and I believe I gave Juan Manuel Marquez a boxing lesson.

“With these two fights I was able to show that I can outbox a top five pound for pound boxer and I could also go toe to toe with one of the most feared punchers in the sport. I was able to show the fans that I am a versatile fighter and can box and brawl as needed. I believe that being a top pound for pound fighter means that you have to do whatever it takes to win whether its outbox your opponent or fight your opponent blow for blow in the center of the ring. I am out to prove that I am one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport if not the best.

“In my two fights in 2013 I was able to show that I can do it all in the sport of boxing. This next fight will be no different in helping me show the fans that I am top pound for pound in the world. I have a lot to prove and nothing can stop me on my way to being number one in the world.”

Face Off with Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Bradley 2 debuts Sat., March 22 at 11:45 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. 24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley 2 premieres Saturday, March 29 at Midnight ET/PT on HBO. Show 2 debuts Saturday, April 5 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and show 3 debuts Thursday, April 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT two nights before the high stakes welterweight title bout.Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 takes place Sat., April 12 live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

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