BRISBANE, Australia – A familiar face showed up at the lobby of Hotel Sofitel Brisbane here, where Manny Pacquiao and the rest of his team, family and friends are billeted for Sunday’s big event.
Set to work the TV broadcast of Pacquiao’s bout with Jeff Horn as an analyst, former welterweight champion Timothy Bradley had a short chat with the Philippine media about his thoughts on his ex-rival’s upcoming assignment.
Bradley just doesn’t see Pacquiao losing to the younger, inexperienced Horn at the 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium.
The reason, according to Bradley, is that Pacquiao rises to the occasion each time he fights younger opponents who have yet to taste defeat in the ring.
“Manny always challenges the younger guys, undefeated ones,” said the three-time Pacquiao foe.
Bradley himself lost his undefeated record to Pacquiao in their 2014 rematch—his first defeat in 33 fights. That was a couple of fights after the American scored a controversial win over Pacquiao in 2012.
For Bradley, Pacquiao fights best when it’s against undefeated foes.
“I think he gets up for that. I think he wants to be the first one put, you know, the one (loss) in their resume,” he added.
Prior to their duels with Pacquiao, Chris Algieri and Jessie Vargas sported perfect records. Pacquiao dominated both in fights that featured several knockdowns.
Pacquiao himself said he is considering Horn's undefeated record as his motivation.
Bradley, for his part, sees Horn—who hasn’t lost in 17 bouts—will be the next one to see his “zero” go.
“I think Manny will do well, I honestly do. I think the style of Jeff Horn suits Manny's style,” he continued.
So how long does he think will it take the 38-year-old Pacquiao to dispose of Horn?
“How long Manny wants it to last,” said Bradley, whose last fight was against Pacquiao a year ago, where he was knocked down twice en route to a lopsided loss.
Bradley hasn’t fought since.