Five reasons why fans must watch Pacquiao-Bradley fight

A boxing analyst for the sports website "Bleacher Report" said the fact that Saranggani Rep. and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has not lost a fight since 2005 is one of the five main reasons to watch his fight against Timothy Bradley in the United States on June 9 (June 10 in the Philippines). In his sports column on June 8, Mick Akers said there were several reasons why the fight between eight-division champ Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) and the undefeated Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) was "must-see TV." Aside from Pacquiao not having lost a boxing fight for seven years, Akers said the other four main reasons to view the the fight are: (1) to see how the new, more "religious" Pacquiao would fight in the boxing ring; (2) mega boxing fights are becoming less frequent; (3) the June 9 fight in Las Vegas could be one of Pacquiao's last, and (4) It is possible that Pacquiao would be handing over the torch to Bradley. "If Timothy Bradley is able to pull off the upset over Manny Pacquiao, we could see the emergence of a new superstar in the sport of boxing," Akers said. "Beating one of the two most polarizing figures in boxing will undoubtedly send Bradley's star into a whole new dimension and give the boxing world a new face to carry on the throne once Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are no longer lacing up their gloves," Akers added. Pacquiao has a lot to prove Filipinos from all over the world are preparing to watch the bout either from home, a bar with pay-per-view, a cinema or even their local auditorium or basketball court fitted with makeshift movie screens. According to a report on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho," sports reporter Chino Trinidad noted that many people have been saying that Pacquiao seemed to have lost his fierce presence and "killer instincts" in his previous fights with Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, and Juan Manuel Marquez. “Sabi ng marami laos na, at ayaw ni Manny Pacquiao na sabihin na siya’y isang laos na na boksingero,” Trinidad said, reporting from Las Vegas where the Pacquiao-Bradley fight would be held. Soho noted that while Pacquiao had experience and strength, Bradley had his youth and undefeated record. Trinidad said, “Hunger nga rin meron itong si Timothy Bradley na uhaw sa kanyang recognition, gustong makabigay ng pangalan sa kanyang sarili.” “Kaya lang isipin niyo, meron isang mabigat na motivation si Manny Pacquiao… Meron siyang isang gustong ichallenge ang sarili niya. Ito ay patunayan sa mundo na hindi pa siya nalalaos,” Trinidad added. Mission from God Soho asked whether Pacquiao’s recent religious change of heart would affect his usual fighting style or mindset for the bout. “Lahat nang ginagawa niya, every step of the way, meron siyang tinatawag na manual na ginagamit ngayon, yung bibliya. Naiintindihan niya na dinala siya ng Diyos daw dito sa Las Vegas for a mission,” Trinidad said. He continued, “Unang una, patunayan niya na siya pa rin ang pinakamagaling na boksingero sa buong mundo. At huwag niyang kakalimutan na first and foremost, siya ay human being.“ Additional $2-million for Bradley's purse Trinidad also noted the generosity of Pacquiao, insisting that Bradley, who like himself rose from poverty, be given a bigger purse. “Alam ba ninyo na si Manny Pacquiao ang nag insist na itong si Timothy Bradley ay makakuha nang more than $2 million sa purse?” asked Trinidad. He quoted the conversation of Pacquiao and Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank promotions who said: “We don’t have that much money.” Pacquiao replied, “That’s not a problem, take the $2 million out of my purse and give it to the young fighter Timothy Bradley.” According to the news site Boxing News 24, Pacquiao will initially receive $6 million, to be followed by another $20 million for a guaranteed $26 million contract for the bout.   He would be raking in extra income from pay-per-view, aside from the $26 million purse.   Bradley on the other hand will be taking home a guaranteed $5 million. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News