There are two things that 8-division world champion Manny Pacquaio would like to bring with him when he takes to the ring on April 12, 2014 for his rematch against 2-division champion Timothy Bradley.
“Nasa kanya kasi ‘yung korona ko e. Gusto ko maibalik ulit,” he said in an interview with “Kababayan Today.” (He has my crown. I want to get it back.)
When the two first faced off in Las Vegas on June 9th 2012, the welterweight bout went the distance, And after 12 rounds, Bradley’s hands were raised as the winner by split decision. Not only did that controversial Bradley victory stop Pacquiao’s dominance in the division; he also put an end to the Filipino boxing champ’s 15-bout winning streak, raising speculations that Pacquiao has lost his fire and drive in the ring.
In the upcoming rematch, Pacquiao added that he also plans to bring this famous “killer instinct” back on the ring.
“Siguro this time around kailangan ko nang ibalik yung killer instinct ko and aggressiveness ko sa itaas ng ring and throwing a lot of punches. Kailangan dumaan sa puspusang training, ” he said. (Maybe this time around I would really need to bring my killer instinct back and aggressiveness in the ring; and throwing a lot of punches. I need to go through rigorous training.)
It’s been five years since Pacquiao has stopped a fight. In 2009 was his last knock out win, against Miguel Cotto. In fact, he has been the one knocked out in 2011 when he faced nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez. That was in Las Vegas where Pacquiao is set to step into the ring for the first time after the brutal loss.
“Habang nagbo-boxing ako, pwede naman akong bumalik sa lugar na napuntahan ko na,” he said. (While I’m in boxing, I can always go back to places I’ve been before.)
But despite the brutal nature of the sport that has given him so much, the “Fighter of the Decade” promotes the message of love and forgiveness to his followers.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another. If anyone of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Over all these virtues put on love which bind them all together in perfect unity,” he said, quoting a verse from Colossians 3. “Ang pagkakaisa, pagpapatawad sa pagkakamali ng bawat isa at pagmamahalan sa bawat isa,” he interpreted. (It’s the unity, forgiveness and love for all.)
For complete interviews and more check out previous “Kababayan Today” segments – www.youtube.com/kababayanla18.
Jannelle So is Host/Producer of “Kababayan Today” that airs daily at 4 p.m. on KSCITV-LA18; and syndicated in Hawaii on weekdays at 3:30 p.m. on Kiku. Catch previous programs at www.youtube.com/kababayanla18. Like her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JannelleSoOFFICIAL. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JannelleSo.