• Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley

Pacquiao: It's really important I boss Bradley

ESPN staff
May 31, 2012
Manny Pacquiao meets the unbeaten Timothy Bradley next month © PA Photos
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Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao's trainer, is confident that his charge will put on an eye-catching performance against Timothy Bradley on June 9.

Pacquiao has not fought since edging an unconvincing, and highly controversial, points decision against Juan Manuel Marquez last November.

That performance raised question marks over Pacquiao's claim to the crown of boxing's pound-for-pound king, and it is likely that Bradley, who is still unbeaten, will test his credentials further next month.

Promoter Bob Arum has wondered aloud over whether or not the Filipino is fully focused for the Bradley bout, with religious and political concerns occupying his time, creating another reason for anxiety among his fans.

But Roach is not worried - instead, he feels that Bradley's style of fighting is going to be tailor-made for Pacquiao to showcase his abilities.

"The way Bradley is going to come forward and force a fight, we're going to see a great Pacquiao," Roach said. "Bradley's a tough guy, very resilient. But being a tough guy doesn't win fights."

Pacquiao added: "It's really important [to make a statement] because, of course, everybody knows my last fight was very close."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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