That, of course, was a ploy to psyche the Filipino ring icon and serve notice to the boxing world that he would win their June 9, 2012 encounter and that the second serving was needed.
Bradley, known as "The Desert Storm," then only 28, got his wish, winning over the "Pacific" Storm" not on the strength of his ring savvy but because of what promoter Bob Arum termed "The Three Blind Mice," who awarded him a split decision victory.
The two parted ways after that shameful day with Pacquiao suffering one more loss, a sixth round KO to Mexican arch enemy Juan Manuel Marquez ending the year, while Bradley outpointed
Ruslan Provodnikov and Marquez himself to somewhat earn the recognition he failed to attain with that questionable triumph.
Pacquiao came back from what was the bleakest year of his career by demolishing former unbeaten American Brandon Rios three months ago in the gambling city of Macau and served notice that his life as a fighter is far from over. That paved the way for the Pacquiao-Bradley II the American had dreamed even before their first skirmish could materialize.
Yesterday, during the first of the fight's two-city media tour at the Crystral Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel to promote their April 12 grudge fight that will see Bradley staking his 147-pound diadem, Pacquiao vowed not to again fall victim to what happened nearly two years ago.
"I want to get back that belt he won off of me," Pacquiao promised as he short of saying, he'll knock his big-mouthed opponent.
"Boxing has always been fun for me. This time, the fun is secondary. This is a mission to prove I am the best." he added.
Bradley, on the other hand, who appeared in the post-fight press conference that evening at the MGM Grand on a wheel chair as result of the punishment Pacquiao inflicted on him, maintained he won that 2012 showdown and that he will redeem himself by punching his way triumphantly anew.
"This is all about redemption," he pronounced. "I need Manny, he needs me.
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