Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Johnriel Casimero believe that former pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will join their ranks as a current world boxing champion again when he beat American Timothy Bradley in their rematch on April 12, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nietes, who presently hold the World Boxing Organization light flyweight crown, said that Pac–quiao’s dedication and old deadly form would definitely be his asset in outclassing Bradley.
“I know Manny [Pacquiao] is in tough shape and good fighting condition. If he really is, Bradley has no chance,” the 31-year-old Nietes (32-1-4 win-loss-draw slate with 18 knockouts) told The Manila Times on Thursday in a phone interview.
“You have to count on Manny’s speed and power and Bradley, I guess, will repeat the same strategy of avoiding Pacquiao,” added Nietes, who has a scheduled rematch against Mexican Moses Fuentes on May 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Nietes’ fight against Fuentes ended in a majority draw last year.
Casimero feels that the 35-year-old Pacquiao (55-5-2 record with 38 knockouts) will avenge his split decision loss to Bradley (31-0 card with 12 knockouts) in their first meeting two years ago.
“With the way I see it, I believe Manny will come out winner this time. I don’t know how he is going to win it but I’m sure he will,” said Casimero, the current International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion in separate interview.
“But Manny needs to deliver and be more aggressive when he takes on Bradley,” Casimero added.
Casimero, who holds 19-2 record with 11 knockouts, ex–plained that Pacquiao’s more intense cardiovascular training has helped him improve his stamina.
Nietes and Casimero are the Philippines’ only current world boxing champions after former WBO minimum weight title–holder Merlito Sabillo lost his title via 10th round knockout to Francis Rodriguez in Mexico City a week ago.