Pacquiao's displaying speed, power in advance of Bradley fight

WBO welterweight titleholder Manny Pacquiao is off to a blazing fast start during the early, high-altitude phase of his workouts in Baguio City, Philippines, where the eight-division titlewinner's trainer says he is demonstrating "power, speed and movement" in advance of his upcoming defense against WBO junior welterweight beltholder Tim Bradley.

Trainers in Pacquiao's camp include assistant Restituto "BuBoy" Fernandez, who oversaw the beltholder's earlier workouts in General Santos City, Philippines, prior to the recent arrival of head man, Freddie Roach.

"Now I believe what I had been reading," said Roach, a five-time Trainer of the Year. "Manny was working hard in training before I got here."

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 knockouts) is coming off November's disputed majority decision victory over WBO interim junior welterweight beltholder, Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs), with whom he had earlier battled through a draw and a split-decision win in May of 2004 and March of 2008, respectively.

But Pacquiao has told reporters that he is re-charged with a change of lifestyle, and that he is eager to face Bradley, who is training in his hometown of Palm Springs, Calif., for their June 9, HBO Pay Per View bout with Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao takes a 15-bout winning streak that includes eight stoppages into his fight with Bradley, whom he said he is taking very seriously during a recent interview with Sugar Ray Leonard.

"When you fight a guy, especially a Timothy Bradley, He's undefeated, he's strong. So this kind of fight, it's, you know, you can not underestimate him," said Pacquiao on SugarRayLeonard.com in a video interview that can be seen by clicking here. "He's strong and he's a good fighter, so I consider this fight as one of my hardest fights."

Last month, Pacquiao told the morning show Rated Korina on ABS-CBN that he no longer gambles and that he's done with womanizing.

Pacquiao has been running four miles each morning at Burnham Park in Baguio City, and, on Wednesday, hit the mitts with Roach, along with work on the heavy bag, double end ball and speed bag.

Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive into Los Angeles during the first weekend in May. He will work out at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif., which is operated by Roach.

Photos by Chris Farina, Top Rank Inc.

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lemuel.satterfield@gmail.com