Manny Pacquiao Plans to End Career With Timothy Bradley KO
I know what you’re thinking: I’ve heard that old chestnut before…and then some. Yep, it’s true Manny Pacquiao hasn’t scored a knockout in quite some time (since Miguel Cotto way back in 2009). But for what it’s worth, the future Filipino politician says he’s going to end the drought by stopping Bradley in their April rubber match.
“I’m trying to have a knockout in that fight,” Pacquiao told The Ring. “I’m not saying to predict the fight, but I’m trying to do my best so the people enjoy my last fight.” Ah, a humble knockout prediction. “I know his style and I have to prepare for that.”
Whether it comes or not, let’s all just hope the Future Hall of Famer’s shoulder holds out in this last hurrah. With Floyd Mayweather already gone, and Pacquiao about to follow suit, the Welterweight division will soon be missing two transcending talents. Anyone, er, getting a little emotional at the thought?
No, me neither. My eyes are just sweating.
Tyson Fury & Joe Gallagher Pick Up The Ring Awards
Two of Britian’s best talents picked up The Ring awards for their strong bodies of work in 2015. Both men were in disbelief when receiving the news – yes, even Tyson Fury. The ‘Gypsy King’, who ended Wladimir Klitschko’s 11 year Heavyweight domination last November, became the second UK fighter to win the award, the other man being fan-favorite Ricky Hatton in 2005.
“I’m just ecstatic to be part of a very short Fighter of the Year list from Great Britain and Ireland,” Fury told The Ring. “It’s like a VIP club and Ricky is a friend who is from the same part of town as me and that makes this all the more special.”
Gallagher, who boasts a star-studded stable which includes Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg and Callum Smith, was the more shocked. “F*** off,” was the esteemed trainer’s initial response upon hearing the news he was a winner of the magazine’s 87th Annual Awards. After being convinced the call was no hoax, it all began to sink in.
“Just to be nominated again (after being short-listed last year) is a huge honor but to win is absolutely incredible,” Gallagher told The Ring. “When you look at the trainers I was up against … I honestly can’t believe it.”
It could now be bad news for his clients, Gallagher went on to joke. “I’ll tell all the fighters that they need to pay more gym dues now!”
Boxing Base congratulates both men on winning these prestigious end-of-year awards.
Best of the Rest Boxing Headlines
Leo Santa Cruz vs Kiko Martinez for February?
WBA Featherweight champ Leo Santa Cruz could be clashing with former Junior Featherweight titlist Kiko Martinez on February 20th, according to ESPN’s Dan Raphael. It’s not a mouthwatering potential pairing – considering Martinez has struggled at world level in recent times – but I guess it could be worse. But, well, not a lot. After all, it’s a given to say boxing fans would much rather see Santa Cruz face fellow Featherweight giants such as Lee Selby, Gary Russell Jr and Nicholas Walters.
Jean Pascal Dubs Adonis Stevenson a Fraud, Talks Freddie Roach Effect
With Jean Pascal’s second encounter with Sergey Kovalev on the horizon (January 30th), the former Light Heavyweight champ caught up with Fight Hub TV to discuss the division, his preparations with new trainer Freddie Roach, plus his thoughts on Adonis Stevenson.
Canelo Alvarez Crowned WBC Diamond Champ
Forgive me for lacking enthusiasm when it comes to Diamond belts and…well, world title belts in general these days…
Canelo Alvarez, who captured the vacant WBC Middleweight title after outpointing Miguel Cotto last November, has now been presented with the WBC Middleweight Diamond belt. Considering the accolade doesn’t require any defenses to keep a hold of the thing, I’ve no idea what it actually represents. Apparently it is an ‘honorary’ title. Or something.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman handed over the belt in a Mexico-hosted ceremony which saw Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya in attendance, along with head trainer, Eddy Reynoso, and manager/trainer, Jose Reynoso.
What’s your prediction for Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley in their trilogy-making, final scuffle? Will Pacquiao manage to pull off an exclamation point victory by being the first man to stop Bradley? And what of the rest of today’s headlines? Is Jean Pascal and Freddie Roach a winning combination? And does Canelo’s Diamond title status raise his, er…status at Middleweight?
