By NICK GIONGCO
There is something about Tim Bradley that is driving Manny Pacquiao to fight like he has never fought before.
With less than two weeks before their rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, usually reserve and humble, is eager to prove naysayers wrong and vowed it will be the “old” Pacquiao fighting.
“There are a lot of people who doubt I can fight the same way I fought when I knocked out Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera,” said Pacquiao from his training camp at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
Now that he is the challenger, the odds are even higher for the Filipino icon who finds himself in a unique situation where he said he is trying to win his title back.
At stake against Bradley is the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown which Bradley wrested two years ago.
“I am inspired. I am the challenger. This is the first time that I have challenged for a world title that I lost. Do I want it back? You bet I do; and I want it back from Tim Bradley,” said the 35-year-old Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said he has moved on from that sad episode in his legendary career and is in fact looking forward to turning back the hands of time “to prove to them that I am the best.”
But Bradley insists he will just show everyone that he is simply the better fighter.
“This second fight against Manny Pacquiao I will pick up right where I left off the first fight. This will just be rounds thirteen thru twenty four,” said the 30-year-old Bradley.
Since he was able to stand toe-to-toe with the Filipino the first time they rumbled despite nursing an injury that limited his movement, Bradley thinks the second meeting will not only be a repetition of the first but a more resounding way of displaying his superiority.
“I will be faster than Pacquiao, I will have better defense than Pacquiao, I will be hungrier than Pacquiao. “
In about 10 days, the boxing world will know who’s telling the truth.