Tim Bradley: ‘When I Beat Pacquiao I Don’t Want No Excuses’

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Tim Bradley has always fought the toughest opponents available, and his scheduled April 12th bout against Manny Pacquiao will be no exception to the rule. Questions surround both fighters. They are both at crossroads in their careers. Bradley badly needs to erase the memory of the gift-decision the judges awarded him in their 2012 bout. Both fighters need a clear victory, and neither has much to gain beyond their own personal glory.

That pride on the part of both fighters is what makes this rematch so interesting.  Bradley is desperate to set the record straight in front of fans and officials everywhere, “I want the best Manny Pacquiao, no excuses.” In the eyes of impartial boxing fans Bradley may not have won their first fight, but he has learned from it. Though not worthy of his reward he did have some success against Pacquiao last fight, “In the first fight Pacquiao didn’t come at me. Obviously, I had something to keep Pacquiao off of me.” Bradley asserts that he is ready to meet the full-force of vintage Pacquiao’s aggression.

Yet in Bradley’s words, even if he wins the fight there’s going to be a “boatload of excuses” on behalf of Pacquiao.  The only way he sees to redemption is a clear victory against a fit and aggressive Pacquaio. Bradley is a seasoned pro who knows the reality of the business, and just as he was gifted a decision he knows that next time the shoe could be on the other foot. Bradley is wise not to rely on any favoritism from judges this time around.

“I never worry about any judges,” Bradley boldly states.  “The judges are gonna do what they’re gonna do, and there’s nothing we can do about it… As long as the right man gets the decision.” Bradley jokes with the media about the uproar of the last decision. He wonders if the media would make such a stink in his defense if he were the one robbed of a decision. The climate of this bout is certainly tense, but both corners are veterans of the sport.

It is a testament to the guts of both fighters that they are risking their legacies and records to bring a decisive answer to the fan’s burning question.