Bradley hopes Pacquiao wins Senate seat

American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. wants to beat Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao when they face each other on Sunday morning (Philippine time).
But he wants Pacquiao to win in the Senate race.

“He's a man of integrity. I think he's the right man for the job. I hope you truly win!” Bradley said at the final press conference held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the livestreaming of which was posted by GMA News Online.

Bradley will be facing Pacquiao for the third time on Sunday (Philippine time) at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao, the incumbent Sarangani representative, is a senatorial candidate in the May 9 elections under the United Nationalist Alliance political party of presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Both boxers are ready for the “legacy” match as attested to by members of their training camp.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's long-time coach, said “ We have a great training camp in the Philippines. He is in great shape.”

For Bradley, Teddy Atlas said “tough news is that we're fighting one of the best fighters in the last 10 yrs, one of the great talents we will ever see.”

“The good news is, we know exactly [who] we are facing. We are working with a fighter with God-given abilities, who will be remembered in history as a special fighter and special person and I believe that is part of his strength,” he added.

Francisco Varcarcel, World Boxing Federation President, also announced that a special award will be given to the winner of the fight. He then presented a diamond and gold encrusted belt.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum also announced that the US anthem will be sung by the winner of singing talent show, American Idol, which is on its final season.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, called for unity as he also announced that he is donating his earnings to communities that need help.

“The money that you pay for boxing, [there are] thousands of family you [can] help [with] that money,” Pacquiao said.

Although he did not disclose the amount of the donation and the identity of his beneficiaries, the representative of Sarangani District said the funds would be for housing and sustainable livelihood programs.

Pacquiao also announced that he will be donating part of his earnings from his match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. held in May 2014.

At the press conference, Pacquiao also asked his countrymen to set aside politics and to unite as he is about to enter the ring for the last time.

“Mga kababayan, sa lahat ng mga Pilipino. Nananawagan ako, magkaisa tayo para sa karangalan ng ating bansa. Baka huling laban ko na ito, isa ito sa maiwan sa inyo, na magkaisa tayong lahat,” he said.

“Hindi natin isipin na kasama ito sa pulitika. Ngayong saturday inaasahan ko ang ating pag-kakaisa,” he added. — BAP, GMA News