An improved boxer, that is what Manny Pacquiao is preparing for when he steps on the ring for the last time on April 9 to take on one of his rivals, Timothy Bradley Jr.
Before Wednesday's press conference for the third installment of their rivalry, Pacquiao spoke about Bradley and said, according to the Daily Mail, "I'm looking forward for more action. We know that Bradley improved a lot since our last fight. He improved a lot this time."
Pacquiao dominated the first two fights against Bradley, even if the first went in favor of the American via a controversial split decision.
But Bradley, who lured Teddy Atlas out of retirement to train him, has truly been a more aggressive fighter under the veteran trainer and proved that against Brandon Rios.
April's bout is an interesting matchup since Pacquiao seems to be losing his killer instincts in his past few fights, but would want to go out of the sport with a bang, while Bradley is likely in his prime and is peaking at the right time.
Whatever the result of the rubber match will be, Pacquiao stated last Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, that it is the last fight of his career.
"I'm so happy hanging up my gloves after this fight. I'm sure I'll feel sad after that, but that's life. It's time, I think," the former eight-division champion said in the report.
If Pacquiao is eyeing the fight as his swan song, his promoter Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and head coach Freddie Roach are not echoing his thoughts.
Both Arum and Roach do not believe that the rematch with Bradley is the last in the storied career of the 37-year-old boxer.
Arum even said that he will not promote Pacquiao's third match with Bradley as the last in his career.
