Boxing News 2014: Pacquiao’s Sparring Partner Predicts Manny Will KO Bradley in Round 5
More boxers continue to predict that eight-division title holder Manny Pacquiao will be the victor in his rematch with American pugilist Timothy Bradley on April 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fearless forecast of his sparring partner, 19-year-old junior welterweight prospect Julian Rodriguez, is that Manny would KO Bradley during the 5th round.
Rodriguez, who sparred with Pacquiao for four rounds on Saturday afternoon at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California, said, quoted by Rappler, "I've been watching and listening to the things that [Pacquiao's trainer] Freddie Roach is telling Manny to do, and it's really technical. Freddie is a great coach, and I think as long as Manny follows the game plan, he'll KO Bradley in 5."
He noted Pacquiao's speed and heavy hand as well as punches that have good snap.
Manny's other sparring partner is Lydell Rhodes of Oklahoma who was already with the Pacquiao camp in General Santos City.
Bradley is also training in South California, under the wings of Joel Diaz.
Another former world champion who picked Pacquiao as the winner of the rematch is Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto, whom the Filipino champ beat in 2009. Cotto is now part of Roach's stable of boxers.
Cotto said, quoted by Hustle Boss, "I think Pacquiao is going to capitalize on all the mistakes he [Bradley] makes in this fight ... I'm going with Pacquiao for the fight."
Cotto, who is slated to fight Argentinean boxer Sergio Martinez on June 19, said it is unlikely he would have a rematch with Pacquiao.
Read also:
Boxing News 2014: Manny Pacquiao Picks Jessica Sanchez to Sing Philippine National Anthem at April 12 Bout, Ashanti to Sing US National Anthem Instead
Boxing News 2014: Freddie Roach Tells Manny Pacquiao to Jab More Instead of Punch
Boxing News 2014: Pacquiao Begins Training at Wildcard Gym in LA, Vows to Give Bradley a Big Surprise on April 12