LA O.M.B. PREMIARÁ CON EL CINTURÓN ‘BATTLE OF SUPER CHAMPIONS’ AL GANADOR DE ‘PACQUIAO-BRADLEY III’

WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel and Leon P. Panoncillo, Jr., Vice-President WBO Asia-Pacific, showing the WBO International Welterweight Title commemorative Belt for Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley in the “Battle of Super Champions”, this Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Teddy Atlas is obsessed with finding ways for his fighter, Timothy Bradley, to defeat Manny Pacquiao, and the proof of that exists on what he pulls from his pocket.

A large index card covered with scribbled notes, like “Block and move drill,” “Step and punch,” are the reminders to Atlas of what he needs to address and perfect during his training camp time in Indio with Bradley, the two-division world champion from Coachella Valley who’ll meet Pacquiao for the third time April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I joke [about the index cards] that this is what you do when you’re born in 1956 … you remind yourself of things you don’t want to forget,” Atlas said. “They’re important. I know what I’m going to do already, but this will ensure it gets put out there. I thought I was the only one who did it. I did it quietly, privately. Then somebody said John Wooden used to do it, so I said, ‘I’m not in bad company.’”

Following Bradley’s disputed split-decision victory over Pacquiao in 2012 and Pacquiao’s convincing triumph in 2014, this is the once-beaten boxer’s first shot at the record eight-division champion with Atlas in his corner.

An ESPN analyst, Atlas was hired for Bradley’s November fight against former lightweight champion Brandon Rios, and Bradley’s improvements were evident as he picked apart the far bigger Rios and scored a ninth-round technical knockout.

Atlas has reinforced lessons, such as schooling Bradley that sometimes the best thing you can do in a corner is not throw a punch, but to wait and let a better opening emerge.

The pair spend quality time together before each workout sitting in a car outside the gym, talking boxing, making sure the thoughts that cross Atlas’ mind since the prior workout and land on the index card get addressed.

“I want to give Teddy Atlas praise after this fight,” Bradley said. “He’s one of a kind. I never came close to meeting a person — a trainer — like him. He’s like a second father, a special human being. I do think I’m going to win this fight, I really do.”

Atlas’ preparation for pushing his fighter to beat Pacquiao began with full respect for the challenge before them.

While Pacquiao turned 37 in December, hasn’t fought since his May 2 unanimous-decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., and has undergone right shoulder surgery to correct an injury aggravated in that bout, Atlas is not banking on a lessened product.

“I don’t think [Pacquiao’s age and 11 months of inactivity] is part of it. I think it’s going to be the same physical talent we’ve always seen. Very explosive, the same combination of speed and power,” Atlas said. “He’s an uncommon athlete. Speed and power is very rare. That’s still going to be there. And he’s a lefty. He’s not diminished, not used up, not a shot fighter.

“And as far as motivation, it’s his last fight and he carries the pride and hope of the Filipino people on his shoulders. He wants to make sure he does that. If anything, he’ll be a more aggressive guy trying to prove his point in a lot of ways. We’ll be prepared for that. If I’m prepared for that, I haven’t missed anything, haven’t come up short on my responsibility for my fighter.”

There is an advantage Bradley has in fighting 24 prior rounds with Pacquiao, and Atlas has worked this camp to inspire his fighter about the value of that experience with another colorful analogy.

During the Rios fight, Atlas gained attention by barking to Bradley that he’s a “fireman,” unafraid of the heat of opposing punches, daring to find himself in harm’s way but smart enough to cover and land blows that can extinguish the opponent.

Bradley loved that exchange, and at a recent workout, local firefighters presented him with a new yellow fire helmet.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has sought to diminish the impact of Atlas, saying he doesn’t see much difference between this Bradley and the former version, saying that Rios was badly out of shape and seemed uninspired.

“I don’t care what that guy says. I think I know why he says it. I don’t think it’s for sincere or legitimate reasons. It doesn’t concern me,” Atlas said. “The thing that concerns me, the thing that burdens me every day — morning, noon and night — is not to fail my responsibility to this kid.”

For the Pacquiao fight, the buzzword has changed from “fireman” to “ferris wheel.”

“This guy’s iconic,” Atlas said of Pacquiao. “It’s like going to an amusement park the first day and you see this big ferris wheel. You saw it in books, your eyes are big, it’s as big as the sky, touching the clouds, going 100 miles per hour. You say, ‘Oh my God, look at that.’

“But then you get in it and by the time the ride’s over, it didn’t quite touch the clouds, it didn’t quite go 100 miles per hour and you realize it actually stops in spots. You can actually view and see things. That’s how we have to view Pacquiao. We have to see things now we didn’t see the first time we rode the ferris wheel.”

Still, Atlas said, Bradley’s past difficulties with Pacquiao need to be analyzed closely too.

“He’s done a lot of good things with Pacquiao, but he also has to recognize both sides of the coin and has to be able to see what should be seen,” Atlas said. “It’s obvious he comes at you in surges. What else is there to see? To take advantage of?”

It’s all on the index cards, then taught in the gym.

“The only thing I’m looking to is beating Manny Pacquiao,” Bradley said. “I’m just worried about 36 minutes, complete focus. Thirty-six minutes can change my life. History lasts forever. They can say, ‘This guy beat Manny Pacquiao solid.’ I want that legacy. His legacy is part of mine.”

www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-teddy-atlas-boxing-timothy-bradley-manny-pacquiao-freddie-roach-20160331-story.html

  Credit:  Photos Mikey Williams Top Rank. –

Hollywood, California – 8-time Division Champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao held his media day inside the world famous Wild Card Gym Wednesday afternoon as he prepares to face 5 time world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley April 9 at MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) and Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KOs) are less than two weeks away from their date with destiny — their 12-round welterweight battle for pound for pound supremacy. This fight will also mark the first time Roach and Atlas have ever faced each other from opposite corners — an amazing fact considering they have a combined 70 years of training experience between them and scores of world champions to their credit.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions, the Manny Pacquiao – Tim Bradley championship event will take place on Saturday, April 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®  beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

The NoTrump pay-per-view undercard will feature World Boxing Organization (WBO) super middleweight world champion “King” ARTHUR ABRAHAM defending his title against undefeated No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger GILBERTO “Zurdo” RAMIREZ, undefeated No. 1 WBO featherweight contender and two-time Mexican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ defending his NABO featherweight title against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight world champion EVGENY GRADOVICH and 2012 U.S. Olympian JOSE RAMÍREZ defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super lightweight title against MANNY PEREZ.  The Abraham vs. Ramirez world championship fight is co-promoted by Sauerland Event and Zapari Boxing Promotions.

www.boxingscene.com/photos-manny-pacquiao-ripped-ready-bradley-trilogy–102927?print_friendly=1

5-time world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley put down the boxing gloves Tuesday and replaced them with a tennis racquet during the 12th Annual Desert Smash Celebrity event benefiting St. Jude Hospital at The Westin in Rancho Mirage, California. Bradley auctioned off two ringside seats to his rubber match bout against Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao April 9th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV live on Pay Per View promoted by Top Rank.

www.fightnews.com/Boxing/timothy-bradley-desert-smash-celebrity-event-for-st-jude-children-hospital-328379

Dear Timothy:

I am in receipt of your February 4, 2016 letter wherein you state that given your upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016 you are unable to comply with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, the WBO Championship Committee’s Resolution of November 6, 2015 (ordering the winner of Bradley vs. Rios to face WBO Mandatory Challenger Sadam Ali), and must vacate your WBO Welterweight Title.

Do know that we wholly understand your decision and commend you for always giving fans the best fights possible and doing what is best for your career at this important juncture. You have been an outstanding, honorable and loyal WBO Junior Welterweight and Welterweight Champion of the World and the doors of the WBO will always be open for you. Finally, I am pleased to inform you that we are preparing a special recognition for the Pacquiao vs Bradley III winner— two remarkable fighters and worthy ambassadors to the WBO.

Wishing you all the best,

Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Cc: Luis Batista Salas, Esq. – Bob Arum

  (photo by Peter Frutkoff) A capacity crowd enjoyed the recent 29th annual Ring 8 Holiday Event and Awards Ceremony at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.

Five-time, two-division world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley received the Ring 8 Fighter of the Year Award. Other 2015 Ring 8 award winners (see complete list below) included former New York State Athletic Commission chairperson Melvina Lathan (Woman of the Decade), undefeated No. 1 world welterweight contender Sadam “World Kid” Ali (NY Fighter of the Year), Heather Hardy (NY Female Fighter of the Year), “Ireland’s” John Duddy (Uncrowned Champion), Andre Rozier (Trainer of the Year) and Joe DeGuardia (Promoter of the Year). Randy Gordon served as the Master of Ceremonies.

“We had 340 people and everybody enjoyed themselves,” reported Ring 8 president Bob Duffy. “Things went very well. There were a few emotional acceptance speeches and some tears shed.

“We donated a table to Wounded Warriors and also presented Keith Sullivan with a special trophy for all the legal work and support he gives Ring 8, New York State Boxing Hall of Fame, Atlas Foundation, Boxing Writers Association of America, and boxing in New York.”

2015 RING 8 Award Winners

Fighter of the Year: Timothy Bradley
Woman of the Decade: Hon. Melvina Lathan
NY Fighter of the Year: Sadam Ali
NY Female Fighter of the Year: Heather Hardy
Uncrowned Champion: John Duddy
Co-Cutmen of the Year: George Mitchell & Mike Rella
Board Member of the Year: Billy Strigaro
Trainer of the Year: Andre Rozier
Community Service Award: Kevin Collins & Gerard Wilson
Promoter of the Year: Joe DeGuardia
Sponsor of the Year: George O’Neill
Official of the Year: Carlos Ortiz, Jr.
Amateur Official of the Year: Christina Vila
Long & Meritorious Service Award: Jack Hirsch
Profiles of Courage Award: Paddy Dolan
Prospects of the Year: Wesley Ferrer & Danny Gonzales
Ring Announcer of the Year: David Diamante
Patriotism Award: Corporal Ron McNair, Jr.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/timothy-bradley-melvina-lathan-sadam-ali-leading-2015-award-winners-honored-at-29th-annual-ring-8-holiday-event-awards-ceremony-319313#more-319313

LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 07: WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. (C) poses with cutman Malcolm Garrett (L) and trainer Teddy Atlas after defeating Brandon Rios in a title fight at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 7, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP

Timothy Bradley battered Brandon Rios en route to a ninth-round technical knockout on Saturday (US time) in a lopsided welterweight bout that had a dejected Rios announcing his retirement.

Bradley retained his World Boxing Organization world title, improving to 33-1-1 with 13 wins inside the distance with the triumph at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Fighting for the first time under the guidance of trainer Teddy Atlas, Bradley was quick and aggressive against a challenger who struggled to make the 147-pound weight limit.

Bradley, 32, was fast off the mark, landing a series of combinations in a big first round.

Rios, a former World Boxing Association lightweight champion, absorbed a big right in the second, but responded in a battling exchange.

He was doing good work in the third before a body shot from Bradley clearly rattled him.

“I hurt him early to the body,” Bradley said. “I kind of wanted to get him not thinking about it for awhile, and then I went back downstairs.”

Bradley sent Rios to the canvas with a left to the body in the ninth. Rios beat the count, only for Bradley to unleash a barrage that had him down again and referee Tony Weeks calling a halt at 2:49 of the round.

“That’s the best Bradley I’ve ever seen,” promoter Bob Arum said of the fighter who has been mentioned as a possible foe for Manny Pacquiao next year in what will likely be the Philippine legend’s last fight.

The two fought twice in 2012, when Bradley took a controversial split decision before losing the rematch by unanimous decision.

Rios, 29, wasn’t contemplating any future in the ring after falling to 33-3-1, with 24 knockouts.

“I think it’s time to get out,” he said.

http://sports.inquirer.net/198395/bradley-batters-rios-to-keep-welterweight-belt

By: Brian Mazique –

WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. (33-1-1, 13 KOs) was supposed to beat Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (33-3-1), but not many predicted he’d stop his rugged opponent.

On Saturday night in Las Vegas, that’s what Bradley did, scoring a ninth-round technical knockout over Rios in spectacular fashion. Per the HBO broadcast, Bradley outlanded Rios 254-81 in the fight.

Under the tutelage of new trainer Teddy Atlas, Bradley employed more movement than has customarily been part of his repertoire. The new wrinkles worked, as Bradley was smarter and at his best from a technical standpoint.

Rios appeared to win just one round before a left hook to the body in the ninth put him down on both knees. A right uppercut grazed Rios before he went down, but the body shot did the damage. Rios would get to his feet, but a moderate flurry to his body moments later brought on an end to the fight.

Body shots were a key part of Bradley’s attack all night, as he looked to have hurt Rios on several occasions with blows to the midsection. As good as Bradley looked all night, Rios looked like a shell of the fighter who once held a title at 140 pounds. Michael Woods of the Sweet Science had a good assessment of the bout:

Rios’ retirement seems to make sense despite his relatively young age. He has seen his best days in the ring, and there’s nothing left for him to do but take more punishment for lower paydays than he’s become accustomed to.

If he has the financial means, retirement is the smartest move he can make at this point in his career.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix heard the announcement, but he wasn’t buying it:  Brandon Rios says he will retire after the loss to Tim Bradley. Don’t count on it. Fighters like that, they often come back.

Only time will tell whether Rios’ retirement sticks. As for Bradley, there’s new life to his career. With Atlas in his corner, it seems as though Bradley will, at the least, have the best game plan in place for each of his fights.

The corner advice was poignant and entertaining. Check out this excerpt from Atlas’ pep talk before the seventh round, per HBO Boxing:  “The fire is coming. Are you ready for the fire?” – Teddy Atlas speaking to @timbradleyjr #BradleyRios

It was chilling stuff, and it reached Bradley. That’s something that former trainer Joel Diaz wasn’t always able to do. Bradley’s career has been littered with ill-advised slugging and careless defense late in fights. He had no such lapses in concentration against Rios.

Prior to this bout, most fans would have had no interest in seeing Bradley face Manny Pacquiao for a third time. Not everyone would be on board for a trilogy yet, but one more impressive performance would probably get people excited to see Desert Storm battle Pac-Man again.

If not Pacquiao, then perhaps a date with current WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford is in order. Either bout would be intriguing, as the boxing world should be eager to see what else the new and improved Bradley can accomplish.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2587172-timothy-bradley-jr-vs-brandon-rios-winner-recap-and-reaction

Date:   Saturday,  November 7, 2015

WBO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Promoter:   Top Rank / Bob Arum

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel

Referee:  Tony Weeks

Judges: Adalaide Byrd, Glenn Trownbridge, Glenn Fieldman

Results:  The WBO Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley retains the title against Brandon Rios by TKO in the 9th round.

TV:   USA HBO

 Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank –

If Thursday’s news conference in Las Vegas was any indication of Timothy Bradley’s current mindset, the Cathedral City native will battle more than Brandon Rios when he puts his welterweight title on the line Saturday night at the nearby Thomas & Mack Center.

Bradley, who in recent years replaced manager Cameron Dunkin with his wife, Monica, and two months ago replaced longtime trainer Joel Diaz after 11 years together, stepped to the podium at the Wynn Las Vegas and took a moment to address what he viewed as widespread criticism for such moves.

“I have a whole list of things I want to say today,” Bradley began. “I don’t know if I should say them.”

Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs) spoke about the fight, about how he’s prepared and about what he hopes to do Saturday night. Then he shared with the assembled media a few of those other things that were on his mind.

“Sometimes people don’t really understand what I have around me, and what goes around me,” Bradley said. “I want to make it live a little bit to some of you folks out there or some of you non-believers in Tim Bradley, that I’m very intelligent, and I’m going to tell you why.

“I signed with the best promoter in the boxing business, Top Rank, linking up with one of the best managers in the business, Cameron Dunkin. Then, I tell my wife, learn everything you can from Cameron Dunkin. Everything. Learn everything you can. Everything. Because, guess what? Someday you’re going to be my manager, you’re going to be saving me 10 percent of my purse, which we’re doing.”

Bradley added, “I’m not dumb, I’m a super smart, smart guy, I really am. Really smart, and so is my team.”

Much has been written about Bradley’s breakup with Dunkin, who now manages Rios (33-2-1, 24 KOs) and attended the news conference. Dunkin also manages Jessie Vargas, who fought and lost to Bradley by unanimous decision in June. At the time, Dunkin and Bradley both said there were no hard feelings and that they remain cordial toward each other, despite the way they ended their working relationship.

As Bradley spoke of Dunkin on Thursday, he shook his head, his eyes fixated on the floor in front of him. Afterward, he said he has nothing but respect for Bradley, but isn’t surprised that Bradley is still defending his decision to cut ties with Dunkin years later. Dunkin also wondered if Bradley’s emotions will play a larger role in Saturday’s outcome.

At the podium, Bradley continued.

“I’m set up for success,” he said. “Set up for success, OK? So when you bash me in the media and you say, ‘Wow, he got rid of his trainer (of) 10 years, he’s dumb. He got rid of his manager, he’s dumb.’ Listen guys, everything has a plan, everything has a purpose.”

As Bradley enters the ring on Saturday, he’ll not only face a brutal opponent, but will evidently do so carrying some added weight on his shoulders. Whether or not the decisions Bradley has made within his team have helped or hurt his career, there’s no longer any doubt that he’s fighting in part to prove to naysayers that he’s in complete control of how the final chapter of his career unfolds.

The first step in doing that will come Saturday night. Either Bradley will emerge victorious and validate what was said Thursday, or he’ll give doubters an opportunity to fan the flames.

“I wish Tim all the best,” Dunkin said. “I hope he finds what he’s looking for.”

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/2015/11/05/boxer-timothy-bradley-takes-more-than-brandon-rios/75243438/

  Timothy Bradley of Cathedral City (left) connects to the face of Jessie Vargas during Saturday night’s 12-round WBO welterweight fight in Carson. Bradley won his first fight since Oct. 12, 2013. 

(Credit:  Photos by J. Omar Ornelas/ The Desert Sun)

Timothy Bradley stood in his corner, stunned.

Jessie Vargas was standing on the ropes in his corner, a giant grin on his face and his arms raised following their 12-round title bout. It appeared, for a few tense moments, that this would be another confusing ending for the Cathedral City boxer.

With 14 seconds remaining, Vargas caught Bradley with the biggest shot of their fight Saturday night. The right hook knocked Bradley off balance and he backpedaled for several feet, nearly falling to the canvas as the 10-second warning clapper sounded and referee Pat Russell called the fight.

As Vargas raced back to his corner with his arms up in victory, Bradley stood baffled, along with the crowd of 4,711 at StubHub Center.

After a moment of pandemonium, and some clarification, Russell instead sent the fight to the scorecards, where Bradley won by unanimous decision to claim the interim WBO welterweight title — the same championship belt he held prior to his first professional loss, to Manny Pacquiao, last year. The fight was the 1,000th shown on HBO since the network began televising fights in 1973.

“I got hit with a good shot (and) I went back,” Bradley said. “All of a sudden the referee waived his hands. I didn’t know what was going on. I thought it was the end for the fight, but I didn’t really know.”

Russell clarified his decision to send it to the cards by saying that he mistook the 10-second warning as the end of the round. “I made the call that I thought was correct,” he said.

Had Russell not called the fight seconds early, Vargas believes he would have finished Bradley off.

“I hit him with three of four shots, it was still going on and then all of a sudden the fight stops and there were about seven seconds left,” Vargas said. “All I needed was one more shot and I would have won.

“Those seven seconds cost me the fight.”

The announcement that Bradley won the fight — 116-112, 117-111 and 115-112 — was met with mixed reaction from the crowd, which appeared to be divided between the two fighters. But few could argue with the result. All three judges scored at least eight rounds in favor of Bradley heading into the 12th and final round.

Unlike his fight six months ago that resulted in a split-draw with Diego Chaves in Las Vegas, Bradley was clearly the early aggressor against Vargas. He was quicker on his feet and as a result much more explosive with his punches. He landed a number of crisp shots on Vargas that allowed him to capture the early momentum.

But Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs), 31, may have actually been overly aggressive. Initiating the action often left him open to counter punches, of which Vargas landed several. Bradley’s left eye began to swell and, although Bradley was winning on the cards, he allowed Vargas to hang around until the end.

 Referee Pat Russell ended Saturday’s fight prematurely between Timothy Bradley and Jessie Vargas at the StubHub Center in Carson. In this photo Bradley looks over as things are sorted out. (Photo: J. Omar Ornelas/ The Desert Sun)

“Vargas had a hell of a jab,” Bradley said. “He hurt me all during the fight. It really bothered me.”

Bradley landed 232 total punches, including 143 power punches. Vargas landed 203 total punches, with 109 power punches.

Vargas (26-1, 9 KOs), a secondary junior welterweight titleholder in the 140-pound weight class, moved up a weight division to fight Bradley and accept a $600,000 payday.

Bradley pocketed $1.5 million for what was his first win in more than 20 months when he defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in Oct. 2013.

It was reported last month that the winner of this fight must face 26-year-old Sadam Ali (22-0, 13 KOs) in their first title defense later this year. Top Rank promotions chief executive Bob Arum would not confirm that after the fight, and even wondered aloud if a Bradley-Vargas rematch made sense.

“Maybe,” he said.

Vargas publicly asked Bradley for a rematch after the fight but time will tell if it ever materializes.

“Let’s start where we left off tonight.” Vargas said.

http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/boxing/2015/06/28/timothy-bradley-jessie-vargas-boxing/29420333/

Photo by AP/Photo/Erick Jamison/Yahoo Sports Gallery –

One-time Muslim rebels, soldiers and refugees united in celebration Sunday as Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao defeated American Timothy Bradley to reclaim the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in a unanimous decision.

Sok Biruar, a Moro Islamic Liberation Front sub-commander, joined with soldiers from the army’s 6th Infantry Division in the Philippines’ Muslim south to watch Pacquiao avenge his 2012 loss in a unanimous 12-round decision. All around the country, life came to a halt as the fight was broadcast live from Las Vegas, Nevada, in gymnasiums, malls, restaurants, public parks, malls, and main squares.

“This proves that we [the soldiers] and the MILF are already united. That the war is over and we’re sick and tired of conflict,” Biruar said, adding that they’ve enjoyed a good relationship with the army since the signing of a March 27 agreement, which grants Muslim areas greater political autonomy in exchange for an end to armed rebellion.

Pacquiao – or the Pacman, as his legions of fans like to call him – is without doubt the most famous citizen in the Philippines. He grew up in a slum without shoes, and had sold donuts, flowers and fish on the street until an IBF Super Bantamweight title fight in 2001 propelled him to the big time.

Since then he has won 56 fights – ten of them world titles at four different weight classes – drawn five and lost two, earning close to $US700 million in career TV revenue in the process. He became a Congressman and dabbled in singing, politics, acting and cockfighting, before losing his title to Bradley in a split-decision in 2012. Most ringside observers were astonished, judging Pacquiao to have won the fight.

In Zamboanga City, refugees displaced when rival Muslim faction the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) laid siege to the city in September to try and derail the peace talks were also jubilant Sunday, breaking into thunderous applause and chanting “Manny! Mannny!” as Pacquiao’s victory was broadcast on giant screens set up among the tents and temporary housing.

More than 100,000 people forced to flee their homes in the ensuing three weeks of fierce fighting are still housed in the city’s Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial sports complex. Some 200 people were killed in the siege, including soldiers, rebels and civilians.

“We’re so very, very happy… for this moment we are able to forget our problems,” said Kadaf, 26, whose family’s bunkhouse in Barangay Rio Hondo was destroyed during the 23-day standoff between the government forces and the MNLF.

“At least our idol has now proven to the whole world that he is still the king of boxing,” he added.

President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement Sunday that the nation is united in cheering on Congressman Pacquiao.

“He is the symbol of the excellence of the Filipino in all endeavors,” Coloma added. “Pacquiao’s latest victory is symbolic of the way Filipinos can recover from the worst disasters,” refering to the siege in Zamboanga, Typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake that struck the country last year, killing thousands.

Pacquiao’s mantra for Sunday’s fight was “my journey will continue.”

He has said he is 80 percent sure he will run for senate in the Philippines in 2016 when his term as a congressman expires.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/165587/filipino-refugees-ex-rebels-army-unite-for-pacman.html

Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

The Filipino boxing icon improved to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 wins inside the distance as he regained the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title he lost to Bradley in June 2012.

Although he couldn’t get his first knockout win since 2009, Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight promise to come out with more aggression, denying Bradley’s avowed aim of sending him into retirement with another defeat.

“I think I can go another two years,” said Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. “I’m so happy to be world champion again. Tim Bradley was not an easy fight.”

Bradley, who said he fought from the first round with a right calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 knockouts.

“Life goes on,” Bradley said of his first pro defeat. “It’s back to the gym. Not a big deal.”

Judge Glen Trowbridge scored the bout 118-110 for Pacquiao, while Michael Pernick and Canada’s Craig Metcalf saw it 116-112 for the “Pacman”, whose every move was cheered by the star-studded crowd of 15,601.

After a tight first round, Pacquiao made his power felt in the second.

The third saw both fighters exchange at a furious rate, Pacquiao again landing the more damaging blows.

But Bradley shook Pacquiao in the fourth, and Pacquiao said California’s “Desert Storm” was an improved fighter from the one who took a bitterly debated split decision in their first fight.

Although the pace slowed in the later rounds, Pacquiao put together multi-punch combinations in the seventh and out-worked Bradley in the remaining rounds.

After throwing few punches in the 11th, a desperate Bradley swung wildly in the 12th, and Pacquiao finished the fight with a cut over his left eye from a clash of heads late in the final round.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-pacquiao-avenges-bradley-loss-mega-gallery–76669

Date:  Saturday, April 12, 2014

WBO Welterweight Championship

Location:  MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV  USA

Promoter:  Top Rank, Inc.

Supervisor:  Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.

Referee:  Kenny Bayless

Judges:  Michael Pernick (116-112);  Glenn Trowbridge (118-110);   Craig Metcalfe  (116-112)

Result:    Timothy Bradley lost the title to Manny Pacquiao, who won the fight by Unanimous Decision becoming the new WBO Welterweight Champion.

Plotting a path to victory in Saturday’s rematch against Manny Pacquiao

Photo by:  Alexis Cuarezma /Getty Images /Article by Bernardo Pilatti – ESPNdeportes.com –

Two years after defeating Manny Pacquiao in one of the most controversial decisions in modern history, Timothy Bradley Jr. will get the chance to prove his critics wrong in Saturday’s rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), who won a split decision over Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs) in June 2012, defends his welterweight title and unbeaten record in this highly anticipated rematch. The 30-year-old says he has gained strength to go for the knockout and hopes to retire the Filipino icon. Bradley believes that his recent wins against Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez support his claims to being one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Beyond his predictions, if he wants to beat Pacquiao, Bradley should consider the following keys:

Punching volume:

Bradley doesn’t always employ an attractive style, but he wins and has continued to do so often enough that he’s starting to look convincing as one of the best in the world. Adjustments to his style have given him more power and consistency; his wins over Provodnikov and Marquez are proof enough. Against Pacquiao, he shouldn’t change the script, except for the necessary increase in punching volume to avoid the controversies of their first battle.

Look for the KO:

Pacquiao is not his former self. His busy schedule outside the ring and the weight of the years are taking a toll. He was recently knocked out by Marquez and then pulled a clear but unimpressive win against Brandon Rios. Bradley has strengthened the power of his punch and has talked at times about going for the knockout. Trying for it only when the moment is right might not be a bad idea. Bradley’s well-timed power shots could force Pacquiao to avoid taking risks as a way to avoid ending up on the canvas.

Stick and move:

In a fight between two even combatants that threatens to go the distance, the fighter who manages to impose his rhythm will have a clear advantage in the eyes of the judges. Bradley is better positioned to prevail in this area. Setting the distance with his jab and disrupting his opponent’s quick movements with side exits should be a priority.

Beware of exchanges:

Against Provodnikov, Bradley wanted to prove to his detractors that he could win an exciting fight by exchanging power shots at close range. That was how he defeated the Russian, but the cost could have been too high, as he left the ring and went straight to the hospital because of a concussion. Pacquiao is a fighter of a higher class than Provodnikov, and in the past he has proved his ability to respond to enemy fire with his own best artillery. Bradley shouldn’t employ the same strategy of standing and trading with Pacquiao for long periods of time or his game plan might seriously backfire.

Listen to your corner:

This will be a battle of strategies in which the winner will develop the best game plan. In this regard, Joel Diaz, Bradley’s trainer, is an excellent strategist. It isn’t an accident that Bradley has come this far to join the elite group of boxing’s best. His fights have always featured strong game plans. Both victory and defeat, and credit or blame, will be in large part awarded to Diaz.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/10760475/five-keys-timothy-bradley-jr-manny-pacquiao

This Saturday night in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley will meet in a rematch of their controversial June 2012 bout. Excitement around this fight is far greater than it was for their first meeting two years ago.

A sequel in boxing is much more often a sure thing than in Hollywood, where Part 2 tends to be a warmed-over retread of the original script.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2022604-ranking-the-10-greatest-rematches-in-boxing-history?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=boxing

Las Vegas,Nevada   —  Superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley pose during the final press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Wednesday for their eagerly-anticipated rematch, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   — Photo Credit : Joel Colon.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-pacquiao-bradley-ii-final-presser-mega-gallery–76536

By:  Eddie Alinea –

It’s all work and no play for Filipino boxing pride Manny Pacquiao in his first week at the Wild Card Gym training camp and in Los Angeles.

And it looks like the situation will be the same the next 23 days when he fights anew defending World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Timothy Bradley on April 12 (April 13 in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

“Trabaho talaga, walang pahinga (it’s all works really, no rest),” exclaimed the 35-year-old former pound-for-pound king in reference to his fine tuning regimen that started Tuesday last week, three days following his arrival from Manila. “I can’t even play basketball anymore.”

“I already foresaw know what will happen even when I was still in General Santos for the first leg of my preparation that’s why I intentionally skipped my first day of workout Monday last week to prepare myself for the long and hard grind.”

“I started Tuesday with the conditioning segment with Justin (Justin Fortune, whom he re-signed as strength and conditioning coach) and he really gave me a helluva day that at the end of the day, all I wanted was have more sleep,” Pacquiao confessed to this writer in a long distance telephone interview.

In the afternoon of the same day, he was at the new Wild Card Gym on the ground floor of the old Hollywood sweat shop, which chief trainer Freddie Roach built precisely for his prized student’s private use.

“I’m happy that Justin has rejoined the team, he will be a great help in my preparation as he was in our first five years together, remember?” he said. “Ngayon pa lang, after only four days of working out with him, maganda na ang pakiramdam ko sa katawan ko.”

“We still have four weeks in our program, so I can’t see any reason why I can’t reach the desired results we’re aiming for,” the only man to win world championships in eight weight divisions and in four lineal categories.

Focus of the program is combining speed in his feet and hands movement and power in his punches, which the Pacman said will be the key to avenging his 12-ropund controversial slit decision loss to the undefeated Bradley and recapture the 147-pound belt he believed was robbed of him nearly two years ago.

“Freddie and I came up with a game plan aimed at mixing speed and power in this coming fight,” he said. “I will be banking on my foot movement to chase him wherever he goes and keep him off balance once I catch up with him.”

“I will force him to come on and fight in frustration and use my power to completely demolish him,” he vowed. “Bradley has often said I already lost my killer instinct and I’m already has been. Well, I’ll show him that he’s mistaken on his perception when we get into the ring.

“The fighting Congressman from Sarangani Province said that if Bradley believes I’ll be the same Manny Pacquiao, whom he fought in 2012, he’s mistaken. And if he believes what he’s been saying against me would strike fear in me, he’s again wrong.

“Everything that I have been doing in my training camp from GenSan to here is aimed at proving just how wrong his perception is,” Pacquiao stressed.

“On the contrary, he’ been driving me to work hard, train hard so I can be a better fighter that in my previous fights,” he said. “Bradley will be fighting the man who stopped Oscar De La Hoya, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Ricky Hatton or even better.”

http://philboxing.com/news/story-93052.html

Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank –

New York,NY   —  (L-R) Superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated WBO World Welterweight  champion Timothy Bradley pose the New York press conference to announce their upcoming eagerly-anticipated rematch during a two-city media tour in Los Angeles and New York.  Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   —

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-pacquiao-bradley-go-face-face-new-york–74412

Los Angeles,Ca.    — Superstar Manny Pacquiao arrives at Los Angeles International Airport , Sunday night from the Philippines to announce his eagerly-anticipated rematch against undefeated WBO World Welterweight  champion Timothy Bradley.  Pacquiao and Bradley will embark on a two-city media tour that will include press conference stops in Los Angeles on Tuesday and New York on Thursday.  Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.   — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-manny-pacquiao-hits-lax-arrives-los-angeles–74299

By David P. Greisman –

Timothy Bradley had largely boxed against Manny Pacquiao. He had been in a brutal brawl with Ruslan Provodnikov. And he then found a nice middle ground against Juan Manuel Marquez, fighting in an entertaining style that still allowed him to try to hit without getting hit.

Bradley’s now getting ready for his April 12 rematch with Pacquiao, and he believes that stylistically there will be differences in how he fights this time compared to how he boxed in their first meeting.

For one, he points to the injuries he suffered early in the first Pacquiao bout.

“Well the first time around, from the second round on, I was damaged goods,” Bradley told BoxingScene.com on Jan. 29. “I didn’t have my feet underneath me like I did in the Marquez fight. In the Marquez fight, I was able to show a lot of versatile things. I boxed, came forward a little bit, moved, counterpunched. I did it all in the ring, and I didn’t have that ability to do that in the first Manny fight.

“Plus this is going to be my third pay-per-view attraction,” he said. “I have gained a lot of knowledge, and I’m definitely a lot more comfortable now with the bright lights, because the lights are definitely brighter than the regular HBO fight. Millions of people are watching. People are paying to see the fight happen, so the lights are on, man.

“My nerves in the first fight with Manny Pacquiao were unbelievable. I had nerves and anxiety, and that can alter your game a little bit. So this time around, man, I’ll be a lot more relaxed. And the more relaxed you are, the better fight you’ll have.”

Bradley picked up a highly controversial split decision over Pacquiao back in June 2012. Even though he left with the official decision, Bradley is looking at this April 12 rematch as being “Redemption Day.”

“I didn’t get any credit for the first win. No one expected me to get the win. No one felt I won the fight,” Bradley said. “April 12, I’m going to prove to fans around the world and all the people around the world watching that it wasn’t a fluke the first time. I’m on a quest, man. I’m going to get what I want, and I want that win over Manny Pacquiao to be solid, and I want it to be earned. I’m going to earn it, man. I’m going to earn it April 12.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/bradley-no-injuries-fewer-nerves-pacquiao-rematch–74306

By Edward Chaykovsky –

WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12KOs) is relishing the opportunity to make things right on April 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, when he takes on Manny Pacquiao in a rematch of their controversial June 2012 clash. Bradley won the first meeting, with a controversial split decision victory.

Their mutual promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, was so irate over the scoring that he contacted the Nevada State Attorney General to conduct an investigation.

Since their fight, Bradley won a Fight of The Year battle with Ruslan Provodnikov and a twelve round split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao was knocked out cold by Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth fight in December 2012 and then returned to outclass Brandon Rios over twelve rounds in November of last year.

“Now I’m not the little dog on the block. I’m a top dog,” Bradley said to his hometown paper The Desert Sun. “I’m a lot more mature as a fighter, as a man. I’m a little older, Pacquiao is a little older, so it’s different. I’ve had some great wins in those two years and I feel I’m more than ready.

“It’s almost like I spar someone the first time. OK, you get a few shots. The second time, it’s much easier, because I know what to expect. Pacquiao can say the same thing about me. But Pacquiao only fights one-way guys. Only one way, and that’s the Pacquiao way.”

“I think Manny Pacquiao will get aggressive until he gets hit. People are going to laugh about this, and it’s OK, they can laugh. But like I said, if I was a non-puncher, if I didn’t have anything, guys would walk completely straight through me.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/bradley-pacquiao-easier-second-time-around–74060

By Keith Idec

NEW YORK — Promoter Bob Arum said Thursday that a deal is almost finalized for a Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley rematch and that an official announcement is imminent.

“We’re very, very close,” Arum said at a news conference in Manhattan for the Mikey Garcia-Juan Carlos Burgos bout Saturday night in The Theater at Madison Square Garden. “The negotiations are getting down to the nitty gritty. We hope we’ll be able to announce it sometime before the end of this week.”

The unbeaten Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs, 1 NC), of Palm Springs, Calif., and rugged Russian Ruslan Provodnikov (23-2, 16 KOs) were the two potential opponents Pacquiao was considering facing April 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. But Bradley beat Provodnikov in one of the most entertaining encounters of 2013, recorded a highly controversial, split-decision win against Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs) in June 2012 and is fresh off a convincing victory over Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), who knocked the Filipino superstar unconscious in his previous fight.

“I think a Bradley-Pacquiao fight now is much more saleable than the Bradley-Pacquiao fight was when it happened, because Bradley has shined his credentials,” said Arum, whose company, Top Rank Inc., promotes Pacquiao and Bradley. “He had an exciting fight with Provodnikov and beat Marquez. We’re dealing with a different Bradley from the relatively unknown guy who fought Pacquiao the first time.”

HBO Pay-Per-View will televise the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch. A multi-city press tour to promote Pacquiao-Bradley II is expected to be scheduled for early next month.

The first fight between Bradley and Pacquiao drew about 900,000 pay-per-view buys. Pacquiao’s last fight, a predictably easy defeat of Brandon Rios on Nov. 23 in Macau, China, and the Bradley-Marquez match Oct. 12 in Las Vegas did less buys combined than Pacquiao-Bradley I.

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

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