LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao took a glance at the people watching him train over the weekend and told them to take it easy.
“Relax,” Pacquao said in the direction of strength coach Justin Fortune and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, their hands leaning on the top rope, not exactly looking anxious but appearing to be impatient as the final countdown begins for the Tim Bradley fight in Las Vegas.
In the blink of an eye, Pacquiao threw voluminous punches in the air, his entire movement giving the impression of a movie put on fast-forward play.
From time to time, Pacquiao would walk over to Roach to tell him of an idea and Roach would nod and they would simulate the moves Pacquiao intends to do this Saturday at the MGM Grand.
There were combinations meant to drive back Bradley as well ones intended to put him on a precarious situation.
But it was the use of Pacquiao’s right hand that’s been getting everyone’s attention.
After his torn right rotator cuff was operated on following the loss to Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao has been making full use of the right as if it has superseded his left as his main weapon.
Even Top Rank chief Bob Arum is a witness to Pacquiao’s insistence in throwing the right, leaving the 84-year-old Hall of Fame promoter in awe after personally seeing it being utilized during training camp.
“Obviously now that it’s repaired, it is at full strength. Freddie will tell you that Manny is hitting harder with the right hand, even harder than with the left hand, so he is now going to be a real two-handed fighter which is very interesting,” added Arum.
Pacquiao is not only thrilled that he has a newfound weapon in his right but is drooling over Bradley’s metamorphosis from an elusive customer to an aggressive puncher.
“I am excited because Bradley said he has a different style now and I also saw that he has become a little bit aggressive,” said the 37-year-old Pacquiao.
“If he really fights aggressively, then we will give the fans a great fight,” said Pacquiao.