By NICK GIONGCO
LAS VEGAS — Before breaking camp in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, Manny Pacquiao provided a preview of his faceoff with Tim Bradley this Saturday night, dazzling sparring partner Kevin Hoskins with an array of power shots from every conceivable angle.
“His power is crazy, ridiculous. We are about the same size but his power is crazy, that straight, that hook, even the uppercut,” said the 21-year-old Hoskins, looking bewildered by the punches that Pacquiao rained on him in their four-round workout.
Hoskins said he was happy to be tapped as one of Pacquiao’s many sparring partners and although the pay was good, it amounted to just a bonus because he will use the experience of slugging with Pacquiao to enhance his own skills.
There’ll be no more sparring sessions here in Sin City in the next three days and lead trainer Freddie Roach said the remaining days will be devoted to fine-tuning as they prepare for the roughhousing tactics of Bradley.
Hoskins said he doesn’t believe Bradley will go the distance of 12 rounds, predicting that Pacquiao should be raising his hands in triumph by the sixth round.
“He’s never been there before,” said Hoskins of Bradley’s lack of experience against the elite of the sport.
Meanwhile, the formal arrival rites of the two fighters at the main lobby of the MGM Grand will be held on Tuesday beginning at 12 noon for Bradley and Pacquiao thirty minutes later.
Bradley is likewise here, arriving way ahead of time than Pacquiao, who came in at around 10 pm after a four-hour journey from Tinsentown.
Oddsmakers have installed Pacquiao as a +360 favorite, while Bradley is -480. (A $360 bet on Pacquiao wins $100, while a mere $100 wager on Bradley wins $480.)
“I am ready to go. Super excited to fight,” said Pacquiao as soon as he checked into his suite at The Hotel inside the vast Mandalay Bay complex.
Roach said he has no concerns and expects Pacquiao to register a knockout win “somewhere along the way.”
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