Manny Pacquiao will be facing Timothy Bradley in a rematch following the 'Manila Ice's' controversial defeat last June 2012.
During an exclusive interview with the Telegraph UK, Manny's coach Freddie Roach has revealed that the champion-turned-politician, Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao, may consider retiring if he loses this all-important fight. Speaking to the news outlet, Roach says that: "This is a 'must-win' situation on Saturday night, and if we don't win this fight we have to consider maybe retirement."
"So this is a big, big fight for him. We are in a 'must-win' situation, it's as simple as that. Some people think we are all done and we have to prove that we are not," continues former boxing icon Roach.
The rematch is a critical fight for the eight-division world champion, and it aims to prove to the world that he still has what it takes. Roach boasts, "some people think that we are done and we have to prove that we are not," reveals the IB Times.
Roach has no doubt that Pacman has the skills to be the best, and he hasn't lost his talent. Coach Freddie explains, "The thing is The Bible is getting in the way a little bit, but I showed him in The Bible there is violence and there is payback," according to the IB Times. He clarifies that his political career hasn't made a large impact on the champion's abilities, a larger factor is Pacquiao's religion beliefs.
Top Rank CEO and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum believes that this is the biggest fight of Pacquiao's career since his 2008 fight with Oscar De La Hoya. After that loss, where Oscar lasted only 8 rounds, De La Hoya announced his retirement.
Following two consecutive losses, Roach suggested that Manny take a leave to enjoy some rest and recreation, as well as be with his family. The Epoch Times shares that Manny came out of this vacation after hearing the "disrespect" that Bradley lashed out due to trash talking. In the conversation, Roach recalls Pacquiao saying:
"'Do you believe what he said to me?' I said 'do you want to give people what they want and what they want is knockouts ?' Manny then told me 'I will knock this guy out.' This has been Manny's motivation. "He now wants payback. He has the killer instinct and I feel when he hurts Bradley in this one, he will finish him. He feels the same way about Marquez, too, by the way."
The Pacquiao-Bradley rematch will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this coming Saturday, April 12, 2014. For those who want to catch the fight life on pay-per-view, the match begins at 9:00 P.M. ET/6:00 P.M. Pacific Time.