Bradley Warns Pacquiao: I’ll Be Stronger at 147-Pounds
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