Timothy Bradley Focuses on Defense to Prep for Pacquiao Rematch
If his April 12 fight against Manny Pacquiao were today, Timothy Bradley said he would be ready to step in the ring and doesn't need any more time to prepare.
The reigning welterweight undefeated champion chatted with BET.com for the first in a series of interviews leading up to the fight. With the rematch of his career (or Pacquiao’s, depending on you ask) less than four weeks away, Bradley is one word: focused.
“I am at home with my family, but it’s like I'm really not home,” Bradley said while on his way to the gym for training. “I am constantly thinking about the game plan and what I have to do. I am more serious than I normally am.”
Just two years ago, Bradley ended Pacquiao’s seven-year winning streak when he won the fight in a controversial split decision, with two of the judges scoring it 115–113 to Bradley and the other 115–113 to Pacquiao. Since then, Bradley has been undefeated and plans to keep it that way.
Bradley and his trainers Joel Diaz and Timothy Bradley Sr. spend five to six hours training five days a week. When he’s not working out, Bradley is studying tapes to work on his defense.
“My defense will be much better this time around,” Bradley said.
He and his sparring partner reenact scenes from the last match, particularly Pacquiao stepping on Bradley’s feet, which caused him to suffer a fracture to his left foot in 2012. Bradley is familiarizing himself with Pacquiao’s fight style, so that the mistakes he made in 2012 are not repeated on April 12.
“Four weeks away from the actual fight, I am probably in the best shape of my whole life,” Bradley said. “I am feeling great and confident.”
Log on to BET.com Sports each week as we will be checking in with Bradley on his road to #PacBradley2. Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 takes place Saturday, April 12, live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
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(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)