Peñalosa says Pacquiao will go for knockout win

Filipino ring star Manny Pacquiao was dominant and impressive in his one-sided demolition of Brandon Rios in his comeback fight last year in Macau.

But for Gerry Peñalosa, Pacquiao's close friend and associate, the fighting congressman from Sarangani Province still needs to prove that he is truly back in his old deadly form when he battles his former tormentor Tim Bradley in an expected grudge rematch on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"His (Pacquiao) speed and power are there but he still lacks one element that made us adore him -  his killer instict. That was not evident in his fight against Rios. Is Pacquiao back in his old self? The answer depends on how he fares against Bradley. That is something he needs to prove," said Peñalosa.

Peñalosa, a former two-time world champion, was chanced upon by The Freeman during a training session of Pacquiao last Friday at the Pacman Wildcard Gym in General Santos City.

Peñalosa said the positive thing is that Pacquiao is very much focused for his return bout with Bradley, seeking to prove that he was deprived of a clear victory during their first encounter.

"He's very focused in his rematch with Bradley. He lost during their first fight and it's a big challenge for him. He also takes notice of all the things Bradley had said against him. It's an added motivation for him," said Peñalosa. "The way I see things, I feel that Pacquiao won't let the judges decide the fight. He's going for no less than a knockout win."

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During their previous meeting two years ago, Bradley won by a controversial decision in a match many perceived was dominated by Pacquiao.

Even though he's reluctant to make any predictions, Pacquiao has indicated that his mindset really is to seek redemption against Bradley.

"We will get even," said the former eight-division world champion, who is looking for a decisive victory that could probably catapult him to a superbout with pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather.

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2014/02/26/1294692/penalosa-says-pacquiao-will-go-knockout-win