Timothy Bradley urges Filipino voters to elect Manny Pacquiao to the Senate
LAS VEGAS -- A few minutes before the formal news conference was to begin, Timothy Bradley walked over to where Manny Pacquiao was seated and stretched out his right hand. Pacquiao arose and the two stood talking and smiling for several minutes.
The two will fight ferociously on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden when they meet in the main event of an HBO Pay-Per-View card that will guarantee Pacquiao $7 million and Bradley $4 million. But before the show, they were just like friends at a business meeting.
And never was the respect the two have for each other more apparent than when it was Bradley's turn to speak at the dais. The two have fought twice previously, splitting the bouts, and clearly had developed a professional respect.
But Bradley showed the personal feelings that have developed between the two when he spoke about Pacquiao's upcoming election campaign for a Senate seat in the Philippines.
Bradley made an extraordinary speech long before he got to speaking about Pacquiao. He made heartfelt comments thanking his wife, Monica, for her understanding and help in guiding his career, as well as his trainer, Teddy Atlas.
If he'd stopped there, he would have shown just how classy he is, but he went on to speak about his opponent.
There have been news conferences where the fighters brawled, and where the dislike between them was so intense barriers had to be constructed to keep them apart. At this news conference, it was like two old friends enjoying each other's company.
"I read something the other day where someone said Manny Pacquiao, in order to win his campaign, to do what he has to do, that he has to win this fight," Bradley said. "I think that is baloney. I think that is garbage. I don't think the fight has anything to do with what this man has shown for the Filipino people, where he's from. To lose a fight or whatever happens and not get what is rightfully deserved, for him to win [the Senate seat] ... If he hasn't shown everybody what he is made of with everything he has done for the Philippines and the Filipino people.
"He is truly, truly to me the only one out there who is going to do right by the Filipino people. ... He's shown over and over that he is for the people and by the people and that he's a man of his word. He's always shown that character and that integrity and I think he's the right man for the job."
Then, he turned and spoke directly to Pacquiao.
"Good luck in your campaign," Bradley said to Pacquiao. "I wish nothing but the best for you, man. I hope you truly, truly win. I really do."
Pacquiao is notorious for sharing his wealth and giving much of his income to his countrymen. Promoter Bob Arum, in remarks at the dais, said " ... the social welfare system in the Philippines is called Manny Pacquiao."
Later, Arum, who has promoted boxing for 50 years, said Bradley's speech amazed him.
"It blew me away," Arum said of Bradley's speech. "Never in 50 years in this business have I heard a thing like it. You have two guys in a big fight and one of them gets up and does a campaign speech for his opponent. It was unbelievable and shows what a class act Timothy Bradley really is."
