Manny Pacquiao fights professionally for the last time this Saturday, April 9, against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Casino in Las Vegas, in a welterweight championship bout. By now, with all of the comebacks and the “coming out of retirement” fights that have taken place over the years, it’s too early to determine if this really will be Pacquiao’s last fight, although he and his trainer, Freddy Roach, have declared that it will be.
“I’m a little sad, because this will be his last fight,” Roach said during the press conference held at Madison Square Garden by the fight’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions, in January. Becoming a little sentimental and reflective, Roach further stated, “I don’t believe most marriages have lasted this long.”
Pacquiao, 37, and Bradley, 32, will battle it out for the third time on HBO, a pay-per-view match. The first fight took place in June of 2012 for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title, which Bradley won in a controversial split decision. Bradley’s victory was Pacquiao’s first defeat in seven years.
The Pacquiao vs. Bradley rematch took place in April of 2014. The second fight was closer in scoring by the judges than the first, with Pacquiao winning by unanimous decision, ending Bradley’s unbeaten streak.
Bradley, the title holder, has 33 wins, 13 by knockout, one loss, one draw and one no contest. Pacquiao has 57 wins, 38 by knockout, six losses and two draws. Welterweight division fighters must weigh between 140 and 147 pounds.
“I look forward to my battle with Timothy Bradley on April 9 and giving boxing fans a fight they will always remember,” said Pacquiao. Hopefully so, because his below-par performance against Floyd Mayweather last year still remains fresh in the minds of boxing fans.