By Lyle Fitzsimmons
Nearly a year after laying a Money-encrusted egg in his last trip to Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao is back on the MGM Grand’s main stage for the 13th time this weekend against a familiar adversary.
And just when you thought two decisive victories by the Filipino over Timothy Bradley were sufficient to retire the “rivalry,” we’re back with No. 3 on Saturday night, on a PPV ordering system near you.
It was initially branded as Pacquiao’s final fight, but the closer he’s gotten to April 9, the less firm the winner of sanctioning body titles in seven divisions has been that this’ll actually be the swan song.
These days, he’s making it sound like Bob Arum wouldn’t have to pull too hard to get him back.
So if you’re still on queue for tickets that include names like Mayweather, Crawford or Alvarez across from his, keep holding your place.
“The last thing I want to do is make a comeback. I want to be sure that boxing is completely out of my system when I hang up my gloves,” Pacquiao said. “In my mind, this could be my last fight.
“I want to spend more time with my family and in public service. I will evaluate everything after my fight with Tim Bradley. I know the end is near and Freddie and I have trained as if this is my last fight. If this is the end of my boxing career, I want to leave the ring with a performance that will make the fans happy.”
The 37-year-old and I discussed his physical fitness, the Bradley-Teddy Atlas partnership and his place in boxing history while squeezing in a quick chat as he prepared for his next weekend work night.
Q: If indeed it is the end, why? Do you feel you've accomplished everything you set out to accomplish? Is your body telling you it's time to stop? Is it more because of out-of-the-ring motivations?
A: I have exceeded all my wildest dreams in boxing. When I won the flyweight title I was on top of the world. Now I have added world titles in seven more weight divisions. I am very proud of that achievement. My training is different now that I am older. It took me nearly one week to recuperate from jetlag when it used to only take me a day or two. I have to allow my body to rest more between training sessions and overtraining has become a new concern. I have been a boxer for a long time. It is time to begin planning for my post-boxing career.
Q: You've fought a few guys multiple times. The Morales series started with a loss. The Marquez series had close fights throughout. In this case, most people think you've clearly beaten Bradley twice. With that the case, is it any more difficult to get motivated for this one? How do you get revved-up to climb a mountain you've climbed twice before?
A: I am always motivated for my fights and train hard because I am competitor. It does not matter the opponent because at this level, they are all so good. I also want to make my country and my countrymen proud of me. That is what motivates me the most. Bringing glory to the Philippines.
Q: Again on Bradley, many people point to his new trainer as a potential difference-maker. What do you think of that claim? And do you see anything different with Bradley this time than there had been the first two times?
A: "I agree. Tim Bradley is a different fighter since he went with a new trainer. He's stronger and more aggressive. No one had ever stopped Brandon Rios before and Bradley did it with a body shot. In my mind, this is not a continuation of a series but a fight against a different opponent. I think this will be an exciting fight for us and for the fans. I cannot wait."
Q: I remember talking to other veteran boxers as they got deep into their 30s, and they talked about changes in the way they feel and changes in the way they prepare. How do you do things differently at age 37 than maybe you did five years ago or 10 years ago? Is preparation different? Do you feel your fight-night performances are different?
A: Resting my body between training sessions is the biggest difference. I need proper time for my body to recover. I also do not spar as many rounds now. But on fight night, I feel the same. I am 100 percent in the fight -- focused and ready. My speed, power and footwork all feel the same to me on fight night."
Q: How important is how you're perceived? I know a lot of fighters say they don't pay attention, but a lot of others do. Where do you come out on that scale? And five years from now, when people bring up Manny Pacquiao's career, what things do you hope they'll say? And what do you wish they wouldn't say?
A: I am secure with what I have achieved in boxing and my record speaks for me. I will leave it to others -- the fans and the historians -- to decide my place in boxing. My proudest accomplishment is that I brought pride and global attention to the Philippines.
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This week’s title-fight schedule:
FRIDAY
IBF/IBO 140-pound titles -- Moscow, Russia
Eduard Troyanovsky (champion/No. 9 IWBR) vs. Cesar Cuenca (No. 6 IBF/No. 10 IWBR)
Troyanovsky (23-0, 20 KO): Second IBO title defense; Thirteen straight wins by KO/TKO (54 rounds)
Cuenca (48-1, 2 KO): Third title fight; Third fight outside Argentina (1-1, 0 KO)
Fitzbitz says: If you’re having a rematch between two guys just five months after one guy scored a TKO while ahead on all three cards, there’s little reason to believe it won’t repeat. Troyanovsky in 9
SATURDAY
IBF heavyweight title -- London, United Kingdom
Charles Martin (champion/No. 15 IWBR) vs. Anthony Joshua (No. 4 IBF/No. 12 IWBR)
Martin (23-0-1, 21 KO): First title defense; First fight outside United States
Joshua (15-0, 15 KO): First title fight; Only one fight past three rounds
Fitzbitz says: It’s not difficult to suggest that Joshua may be getting this chance a fight or two early. But considering Martin is on the Bruce Seldon level of champions, it’s a risk well taken. Joshua in 5
IBF featherweight title -- London, United Kingdom
Lee Selby (champion/No. 4 IWBR) vs. Eric Hunter (No. 3 IBF/No. 9 IWBR)
Selby (22-1, 8 KO): Second title defense; Sixth fight in London (5-0, 2 KO)
Hunter (21-3, 11 KO): First title fight; First fight outside United States
Fitzbitz says: It’s a nice early spring vacation for the Philadelphia-based challenger, but the reality is that Hunter is a club-level guy taking too big a step up on his foe’s home turf. Selby by decision
WBO super middleweight title – Las Vegas, Nevada
Arthur Abraham (champion/No. 1 IWBR) vs. Gilberto Ramirez (No. 1 WBO/No. 12 IWBR)
Abraham (44-4, 29 KO): Sixth title defense; Fourth fight in United States (1-2, 1 KO)
Ramirez (33-0, 24 KO): First title fight; Eighth fight in United States (7-0; 3 KO)
Fitzbitz says: Abraham has done a wonderful reinvention job after a 5-4 stretch that ended in 2013, but a taller, longer guy who’s 12 years younger might not be the best option here. Ramirez by decision
Last week’s picks: 1-0 (WIN: Broner)
2016 picks record: 14-4 (77.7 percent)
Overall picks record: 746-252 (74.7 percent)
NOTE: Fights previewed are only those involving a sanctioning body's full-fledged title-holder – no interim, diamond, silver, etc. Fights for WBA "world championships" are only included if no "super champion" exists in the weight class.
Lyle Fitzsimmons has covered professional boxing since 1995 and written a weekly column for Boxing Scene since 2008. He is a full voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Reach him at fitzbitz@msn.com or follow him on Twitter – @fitzbitz.
