Boxing News 2014: Will Timothy Bradley Again Consider Suicide If He Loses to Manny Pacquiao in Saturday Rematch?

Pacquiao vs Bradley — Boxers Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines and undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the U.S. wave to fans during an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 11, 2014. Pacquiao will challenge Bradley at the arena on April 12, in a rematch of the June 2012 fight that Bradley won. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BOXING TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) April 12, 2014 Reuters

Boxers Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines and undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the U.S. wave to fans during an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 11, 2014. Pacquiao will challenge Bradley at the arena on April 12, in a rematch of the June 2012 fight that Bradley won. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BOXING TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) April 12, 2014

Unbeaten American boxer Timothy Bradley is hopeful that he could knockout eight-division titleholder Manny Pacquiao in their rematch on Saturday. A KO, instead of a split decision, would certainly erase any doubts in the minds of boxing fans over his questionable win in their first bout in June 2012.

Bradley admitted on the eve of his second match with the Filipino congressman that he considered taking his life when people doubted he deserve the WBO welterweight belt when many believed it was his opponent who really won the fight which was accused of bad officiating.

"Did I consider suicide? Hell year ... I was thinking, 'I don't want to box anymore - I don't even want to live anymore," Daily Mail quoted the 30-year-old pugilist.

Bradley recalled he got hate mail, death threats and verbal abuse at petrol stations, prompting him to contemplate suicide. "I would ... see guys looking at me. They wouldn't say anything to my face but as they sped away they scream through the window that I didn't win the fight and I should give the belt back," Bradley shared.

The boxer insists he won the fight, saying, "Whatever the judges decided, it wasn't my fault. Why blame me? That's what I was getting from the world."

He credits his family for helping him overcome those dark thoughts. To battle depression, he stopped reading anything, except the Bible - which is an activity that he shares actually in common with Pacquiao whom he criticised for being compassionate toward opponents in the ring because of his faith.

"I realised the important things in my life, realised who was important," he added.

Many boxing experts believe there would be no knockout on Saturday despite the two opponents aiming for a KO to settle the question who is better between them. But the pundits favour a Pacquiao win, which is also reflected in betting odds of 2:1 in favour of the Filipino fighter.

With his experience after the first fight and recent victory against Ruslan Provodnikov to defend the title, it seems Bradley is now psychologically prepared if ever he loses the title to Pacquiao and break his winning streak.

"It doesn't affect me. I know who I am. I'm a great fighter."

Bradley, in fact is trying to psyche out Manny to lose the fight by repeatedly taunting his opponent that Pacquiao had lost his fire and hunger as a boxer which the Pacman denies.