Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Bradley vs Pacquiao “Face-Off”, Why Golovkin Chose Chavez, Not Andre Ward, and Maidana Fight Strategy!!!

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Steve N. (Reseda, CA): Bradley vs Pacquiao’s “Face-Off” on HBO seemed very intense. Who did you give the mental edge too (based on what we saw)? And who do you think has more to prove given the way things turned out before?

Vivek W. (ESB): I found this particular episode of “Face-Off” to be easily the most compelling of all. I think the episode gave us a strong indication of the pure mindset hidden deep within the dome of both competitors. I thought it was very raw, very intense, and for lack of better words, very unscripted. One thing for sure, there will be no questions remaining in the end this time around, as neither man seems to be willing to give an inch, yet both appear ready to step forward and forcibly take a yard, so to speak! With a few notes in hand and a mind full of contrasting thoughts, my best analysis on what we witnessed would go a little something like this:

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Timothy Bradley Is Convinced That Pacquiao’s Fire Is Gone, Forever

Timothy Bradley Is Convinced That Pacquiao's Fire Is Gone, Forever

In a recent sit-down for Face-Off with Max Kellerman, Timothy Bradly had more to say to Pacquiao, than Manny to Max or Timothy.

Quiet and humble Pacquiao was a man of few words, being humble and respectful of his opponent. He made no promises or threats, letting Bradley do all the talking.

After Kellerman asked Manny if the fire is still there, and whether he is capable of bringing back the old Pacquiao, Manny replied he thinks that indeed he can, and that he will pray to god to for the strength needed to prove to his naysayers that he is still a force to be reckoned with.

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Pacquiao to Bradley: My time isn’t finished yet

Pacquiao to Bradley: My time isn’t finished yet

Watching last night’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley face off with Max Kellerman was like two guys in a playground with one guy saying he’s better than the other and the other saying no he’s not. It seemed kind of pointless after a while. Kellerman needs to do a better job of coming up with questions because the whole thing comes across like Kellerman’s an employer interviewing two job applicants. ‘Tell me why I should hire you,’ type of thing. It’s like where an employer interviews two people at once and it’s embarrassing and more than little degrading for the guys being interviewed.

“My time is not finished yet,” Pacquiao said in response to Bradley claiming that he doesn’t have the hunger he once had. “I can say that. They [the fans] should watch the fight to get rid of all the question marks in their minds. This will answer all the questions from the past.”

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Video: Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Bradley 2

Video: Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Bradley 2

March 22, 2014 – Fight fans eager for a unique inside look at the highly anticipated April 12th HBO Pay-Per-View® world welterweight championship rematch between undefeated 147-pound title-holder Timothy Bradley Jr. and the world renowned Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao should mark their calendars to catch an all-new edition of “Face Off,” starring the two prizefighters. “Face Off With Max Kellerman: Pacquiao/Bradley 2” debuts tonight at 11:45 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

Moderated by Max Kellerman, “Face Off” is an insightful and often gripping interview session in which the two fighters square off and answer Kellerman’s questions. The fighters also get the chance to address each other and their fans in this engaging format.

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“You don’t have to be a groundhog to know that Bradley’s days as welterweight champ are over” – Roach

"You don't have to be a groundhog to know that Bradley's days as welterweight champ are over" - Roach

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (March 18, 2014) – After completing his first week of training camp at his Hollywood-based Wild Card Boxing Club with Fighter of the Decade MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO, Hall of Fame trainer World-Famous FREDDIE ROACH had a few observations he wanted to share as they prepare for their rematch challenge of undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY. Pacquiao-Bradley 2 will take place Saturday, April 12, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT:

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Strength & Conditioning Changes In Pacquiao Camp

Strength & Conditioning Changes In Pacquiao Camp

Photo: “FOREVER YOUNG” — Music legend and fight aficionado Bob Dylan(L) paid a visit to Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif. to watch Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao’s sparring session. Pacquiao is preparing for his eagerly-anticipated rematch against undefeated WBO World Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. – Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Bradley 2 will take place, Saturday, April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. — Photo Credit : Team Pacquiao

In a recent trip to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of some team changes. As I was talking to some of Manny Paquiao’s fans from Texas, strength and conditioning, Cecilo Flores, walked right by me. I was naturally shocked! This is the man who had been working with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California. Shocked because I saw him in my last two trips to Garcia’s gym. Is he now working for the rival gym? He sure is.

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Manny Pacquiao Arrives at LAX / USA

Manny Pacquiao Arrives at LAX / USA

(Photo credit: Chris Farina/Top Rank) LOS ANGELES (March 10, 2014) –

Fighter of the Decade MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and his Hall of Fame Trainer

World-Famous Freddie Roach broke camp in General Santos City in the Philippines and arrived at LAX Saturday night.

On Monday, at Roach’s Hollywood-based Wild Card Boxing Club, they will begin phase two of training for their mission to recapture the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship title that undefeated two-division defending champion TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY, JR.won off of Pacquiao via a controversial split decision in 2012.

“We had a great camp in the Philippines and Manny, as usual, is way ahead of schedule in his conditioning , and very motivated,” said Roach. “The real business begins for us on Monday at Wild Card. We have great sparring waiting for Manny. He wants that title back. If Bradley thinks he’s going to see the same compassionate Manny he saw the first time they fought he is in for a very big surprise.”

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Ruslan Provodnikov…feared man at Junior Welterweight

Ruslan Provodnikov…feared man at Junior Welterweight

After winning the WBO Junior Welterweight Championship by stopping heralded tough guy and incumbent title holder “Mile High” Mike Alvarado in the reigning champ’s hometown of Denver, Colorado, on October 19th of last year, most fight fans would have guessed that big fight opportunities would be easily attainable for undefeated Russian native Ruslan Provodnikov in 2014.

With sledgehammers for fists and an iron chin to match, the irresistible force at 140 pounds always displays violent drama in the ring whenever he graces the light blue canvas…the kind that brings enthusiasm to arenas and excites fight fans around the world.

The 30 year old champ represents the kind of warrior that most avid boxing enthusiasts are willing to support.

So with a fan friendly style and a piece of coveted hardware around his waist, why is the HBO featured title holder still searching for a suitable challenger?

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Pacquiao Demands A Rematch Against Marquez After Bradley

Pacquiao Demands A Rematch Against Marquez After Bradley

“Mexicutioner” Manny Pacquiao (55 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws) is willing to fight Juan Manuel Marquez (55 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw) once again for a fifth epic bout – that only few veteran boxers in the sweet science have done.

According to Pacquiao’s interview with Lee Hawkins, he is demanding a rematch against Marquez. He told, “If he (Marquez) wants, I want that fight to happen, because you know, I’m about to finish him in our last meeting.”

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The Legacies of Mayweather and Pacquiao

The Legacies of Mayweather and Pacquiao

By Blair Frison: Most boxing pundits agree that the legacies of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will stand the test of time, whether or not they face each other. Certainly, nobody can deny them their place in history; their names will be remembered. But they still show a worrying lack of concern for said legacies.

Pacquiao, while great, lacks a voice. He has shown no appetite for this fight. After his impressive victory over Brandon Rios, he was asked the obvious question of who he wanted next. True boxing fans everywhere issued a collective groan when he gave the standard “It’s up to my promoter” response. He has tried to redeem himself in recent weeks and must be applauded for his offer to fight for charity – a stroke of genius on his part, for which Mayweather had no legitimate response. But Pacquiao needs to do more. Basically, he needs to become a champion trash-talker. Calling Mayweather a coward was a good start.

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