APRIL 9: Third Fight for Pacquiao-Bradley!

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Kickoff Presser in Beverly Hills

Photo by Ed Mulholland/Top Rank
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Top Rank

Fight fans, mark April 9 down in your calendars.

This is the date in which global superstar Manny Pacquiao says will be his very last time in the ring as a pro fighter. For this historic outing, he and his team have chosen Timothy Bradley to be the last foe to face off against the Filipino southpaw. While some critics have wondered if Manny will really hang up his gloves after this April 9 tilt, the politician/boxer said this will be his last fight.

This world championship fight was officially announced at Tuesdays press conference held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

I’ve attended many past Pacquiao pressers at this storied hotel and each news conference was packed with wall to wall throngs of media. And this week’s presser was no different. There was a strong Filipino media present as well as worldwide attention for this April 9 clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

pacman-bradley-nyc17“Pacman” and “Desert Storm” Bradley were flanked by Hall of Fame promoter Top Rank’s Bob Arum, their iconic trainers Freddie Roach and Teddy Atlas, their team members and HBO’s Peter Nelson. Their “Coast-to-Coast” Media Tour began in Beverly Hills and will continue in New York on Thursday. Their championship collision is scheduled for 12 rounds and is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions. It will air live on HBO Pay-Per-View. Promoter Arum announced the undercard will include bouts between Oscar Valdez vs. Evgeny Gradovich, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez vs. Arthur Abraham, Jose Ramirez vs. Manuel Perez, and more. Evgeny Gradovich was also in the audience along with fighter Ray Beltran and Manny’s mother was seen in the front row taking cell phone videos of her son on stage.

And onstage, both prizefighters said they are up for the challenge and will be ready to make history. This is their “rubber match” showdown. The third time’s the charm for the victor come April 9.

April 2014 saw a unanimous win for Pacquiao; June 2012 ended in a controversial split decision victory for Bradley. This will be Manny’s first time lacing up since his May 2015 defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. For the younger Bradley, Timmy is on an upswing and has not lost since his second go-round with Pacman, having traded leather with Diego Chavez (a draw), Jessie Vargas (unanimous win) and Brandon Rios (TKO win).

What will their third clash bring?

Some fans and naysayers have balked at this matchup saying they’re not interested in a third bout between the two while others say this Bradley (with new trainer Teddy Atlas in his corner) should make for an interesting bout against eight-division world champ Pacquiao. Manny is known for his speed, angles, and devastating power as he and coach Freddie Roach have downed many opponents through the years. Bradley, 32, is a five-time world champ and is known for his determination, toughness and conditioning. Now with Atlas as his chief trainer, this April 9 duel promises to be very interesting. It will also be intriguing to see former Trainers of the Year Freddie Roach and Teddy Atlas matched wits from opposite corners in the ring.

And at age 37, Manny Pacquiao will show Timothy Bradley–and the world–what he has left to prove. Both declared they will give it their all; both teams said they are focused as training camp gets underway.

At the microphone, both men appeared as wise veterans, savvy in the boxing biz, both have seen it all by now. There was no trash talking, no threats, no chair throwing. All business. At times it was serious, at times lighthearted as Bob Arum brought up other sports’ heroes and legends comparing Pac and Bradley to football’s Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Arum also spoke in reverence to Manny’s retirement tour in the same vein as Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant’s final farewell this year and baseball’s Derek Jeter’s goodbye tour in 2014.

The question in everyone’s mind is: Will Manny Pacquiao really retire?

Is April 9 his very last fight? Will the politician really hang up his gloves?

The pound-for-pound hero has 57 wins and 38 knockouts. His place in boxing history is secure.

If he wins in April, one more W is added to his ledger. But if Bradley should upset the applecart once again, people are wondering if a FOURTH fight would take place?

Promoter Arum says if the Filipino superstar retires, he will support him in every way AND if he chooses to fight again in the future, he will also be there by his side.

Tune in on April 9 as PACQUIAO-BRADLEY ignites at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com

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Michele Chong has been involved in the sport of boxing for over a decade. Her “Chatter Box” column covers a variety of subjects in both professional and amateur boxing, and features exclusive one-on-one interviews, recaps of fight events, shows and tournaments, book/film reviews and much more. Inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008, she is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Golden State Boxer’s Association and the Burbank Boxing Club. Michele is also involved in many non-profit and charitable organizations.