PALM SPRINGS, California – Tim Bradley wants to be remembered as an all-time great and a victory next week over Manny Pacquiao will make that possible.
Hosting an open media workout in this desert resort city 130 miles from Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, Bradley believes that “a decisive win” over Pacquiao on April 9 in Las Vegas would make him an immortal.
“You will be remembered forever if you beat somebody like Manny Pacquiao,” said Bradley after the post-training chat with reporters. “I want to be talked about even when I’m already gone.”
Even though he has stood his ground against Pacquiao in their first two encounters, the 32-year-old US fighter is the clear underdog in the scheduled 12-rounder at the MGM Grand.
But Bradley doesn’t mind the lowly billing being given and is looking forward to proving his detractors wrong by coming up with a “smart gameplan.”
“I got to be a lot smarter and limit my mistakes because you can’t afford to make too many mistakes against Pacquiao,” he said.
Bradley was awarded a hotly-disputed split decision the first time in 2012 but Pacquiao exacted payback in 2014 on a unanimous verdict.
Unlike before when he had a different perspective about training and another guy manning his corner, Bradley insists that the new acquisition, particularly Teddy Atlas, has done wonders.
“This time, I am calm and composed.”
Bradley is getting a hefty $6 million paycheck and a fraction of that amount will go to the financing of a trip being eyed by him and his wife Monica in Hawaii in June.
Monica, who also dabbles as the camp coordinator, is truly excited as it will mark the first trip that they’ll be traveling together without their five kids.
“It’s going to be like a second honeymoon,” said Monica.