Bradley marvels at Pacquiao: 'Best fighter I ever faced'

LAS VEGAS – Timothy Bradley entered Saturday’s fight (Sunday in Manila) believing he can convincingly defeat Manny Pacquiao this time.

He instead turned into believer in Pacquiao.

The 32-year-old American was convinced that he edged Pacquiao the first time they met in 2012, and maintained he was injured in their rematch two years later.

But Bradley sang a different tune after getting it on with Pacquiao again for another 12 rounds, this time acknowledging the latter’s supremacy over him.

Pacquiao left no doubt as to who is the better fighter this time, knocking Bradley twice on his way to a hard-earned unanimous decision victory. It was the Filipino icon’s best showing in their trilogy.

Bradley agrees.

“I gave it everything I can to make him come to me. But he's just super smart,” he told the media.

He recalled how hard he tried to hurt Pacquiao in those 36 minutes of action, and to his credit, he actually had his moments. But Pacquiao did not run out of tricks in his bag.

“I fought the best I could tonight. I wasn't tired. It just seem Manny was in all spots. He was just smarter,” Bradley explained

“Honestly, he was a step ahead of me instead of me ahead of him tonight,” he continued.

Bradley went on to say that Pacquiao is like the ocean, and that he’d just turned Bradley into a log that helplessly flowed through his current.

Bradley’s two defeats in 36 fights (the boxer is 33-2-1, with only 13 knockouts) were handed to him by one man, and he stressed that the one he collided with today was the best version.

“I mean he's the best fighter I've ever faced, honestly. He's explosive, he's got a lot of power, a lot of speed,” said Bradley.