POUND-FOR-POUND king Manny Pacquiao plans to begin training in mid-April for his June 9 World Boxing Organization welterweight title defense against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the schedule will be the usual one, with his training camp beginning in Baguio City, where he is expected to spend some four weeks, after which he will leave for Los Angeles to train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym for another three weeks.

Koncz said Pacquiao spent Valentine’s Day with wife Jinkee and their four kids on a remote island off Sarangani province, where there wasn’t even a cell phone contact with the outside world.

Pacquiao is not taking the undefeated Bradley lightly and is expected to put on an impressive performance, following his comparatively lackluster showing in his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Bradley told Rick Reeno of boxingscene.com that this is perhaps the best time to face Pacquiao and that being much younger than the 38-year-old Marquez, he has a good chance of beating Pacquiao.

Bradley said besides being very young, he is also determined.

“I can box as well as brawl and I can counter-punch as well,” said Bradley. “I’m quick and can get in and out from danger and I have great defense.”

The light welterweight champion, who should have no problems moving up to 147, where he has fought before, added: “I feel like I’m a major step for Pacquiao. I think it’s a winnable fight for me.”

Koncz told BoxingScene/Manila Standard that Pacquiao will leave for the US within the next couple of days to give his deposition in the case he filed against Floyd Mayweather Jr., his father Floyd Sr. and uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather over allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

 

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

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