Kung mayroong mangilan-ngilang naniniwala na tinalo ng Amerikanong si Timothy Bradley si Manny Pacquiao sa kanilang unang laban noong 2012, kabilang na rito ang sumisikat na si WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford na kabilang sa mga pinagpilian ng Pinoy boxer.
Sa kanyang press conference kamakalawa, upang ihayag ang depensa ng kanyang korona sa Pebrero 27 laban sa kababayang si Henry Lundy sa The Theater sa Madison Square Garden sa New York City, iginiit ni Crawford na magwawagi si Bradley kay Pacquiao.
“He’s going to win,” sabi ni Crawford sa BoxingScene.com hinggil sa kanyang matalik na kaibigang si Bradley.
Kinuwestiyon din niya ang paniniwala ng marami na si Pacquiao ang dapat nagwagi sa unang duwelo nila ni Bradley sa Las Vegas, Nevada noong Hunyo 9, 2012 na nanaig ang Amerikano sa kontrobersiyal na 12-round split decision para matamo ang WBO welterweight title.
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“I thought he won,” ani Crawford. “I didn’t score the fight. I just watched the fight and I can’t remember the score. But I know he won.”
Ngunit sa ikalawang laban noong Abril 12,2014 sa Las Vegas din, kumbinsido ang walang talong boxer na nagwagi si Pacquiao para mabawi ang WBO welterweight belt.
“Bradley lost the second fight,” diin ni Crawford. “He was winning the early rounds, and he changed up his game plan. I think he hurt Pacquiao early, in the second round, and he just started going for the knockout after he hurt his calf.”
Kinuwestiyon din niya ang opinyon ng maraming boxing analyst na hindi dapat magkakaroon ng ikatlong laban sina Pacquiao at Bradley.
“I’m happy Tim got it. Because he’s going to win,” dagdag ni Crawford. “Tim deserves it. Tim is one of those fighters who’s been putting his life on the line his whole career, beat a lot of good fighters and did a lot of great things in boxing, and never got the credit he deserves. Never.”
Samantala, inihayag ng Top Rank Inc., na maglilibot sa buong Estados Unidos sa susunod na linggo sina Pacquiao at Bradley para i-promote ang kanilang ikatlong sagupaan.
“Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao and Timothy ‘Desert Storm’ Bradley, will begin their promotional roadwork next week when they announce their world championship showdown at press conferences in Beverly Hills, Calif., and New York City,” ayon sa ulat ng Fightnews.com. “The two fighters will be joined by their respective trainers, Freddie Roach and Teddy Atlas, and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.”
“Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, boxing’s only eight-division world champion and the reigning Fighter of the Decade, collides with five-time world champion Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., in a 12-round welterweight championship battle,” dagdag sa ulat. “Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Bradley will take place Saturday, April, 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.” (Gilbert Espeña)
