Manny Pacquiao latest news: Filipino expects Bradley to target shoulder

Manny Pacquiao knows very well that the shoulder injury he suffered in May could be his weak spot when he faces Timothy Bradley in the boxing ring for the third time. But the Filipino boxing icon claimed he has already anticipated Bradley aiming at his surgically repaired shoulder, adding that his camp has devised a counter for the American’s tactic.

Bradley has openly claimed his game plan against Pacquiao when the two face on April 9 in Las Vegas for what is dubbed as the Filipino’s last fight in the ring. In an interview with Boxing Scene last month, Bradley revealed he will do “whatever it takes” to defeat Pacquiao, including using the former eight-division titlist’s shoulder to his advantage. But Pacquiao, who is set to start training camp in his hometown General Santos City with Freddie Roach, said he will let Bradley go with this plans.

"Actually, we have already foreseen that even before he announced it," Pacquiao told Phil Boxing as reported by the Philippine Star. "And we already have designed what to do even before we pitched camp in General Santos City. So, we really were not worried after hearing him [Bradley] say that.”

It would be wise for Bradley to target Pacquiao’s shoulder, but Australian promoter Peter Maniatis is not convinced the two-time former WBO welterweight champion’s intention would work. Ronnie Nathanielsz of Phil Boxing reported that Maniatis claimed that Pacquiao’s shoulder will be “stronger than ever” just like what his own shoulder felt after undergoing surgery similar to the Filipino 12 years ago.

Meanwhile, there are concerns over Pacquiao’s decision to do most of his training sessions in the Philippines where there are plenty of distractions, including the Filipino boxer’s campaign for the country’s upcoming national elections. But his adviser Michael Koncz insisted Pacquiao’s training will be strict as ever for Pacquiao-Bradley III.

“We are going to be strict during the course of his training. We are always strict when it comes to Manny’s training,” Koncz said.