By John F. McKenna (McJack): Filipino icon World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) is denying reports that he is overconfident ahead of another long tedious training camp in preparation for his upcoming fight with undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0-1 NC, 12 KO’s). Bradley will have the opportunity of a lifetime when he clashes with Pacquiao on June 9 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao is used to the constant attention that goes along with his superstar status and understands that some will attack him no matter what he does. As far as him being complacent and overconfident “Pacman” rebutted by saying that he started training ahead of schedule, even before leaving for his training camp in Baguio. Manny trained during Holy week, except tor Good Friday.

Prior to heading to Baguio, Pacquiao’s focus has been on training except for the time he devotes to Bible study. Manny joins former WBA/IBF light welterweight champion Amir Khan who is already training for his May 19 rematch with Lamont Peterson. Khan and Pacquiao will be training simultaneously but they will not be sparring with each other.

Trainer Freddie Roach in his search for suitable sparring partners for “Pacman” is enlisting the help of Rusian Provodnikov. Rusian has an impressive 21 – 0 record with 14 KO’s and will be travelling all the way from Siberia to Baguio on April 24. Roach chose Provodnikov because he is rugged, tough and has a similar style to Bradley.

Roach is quick to point out that “Desert Storm” is a dangerous opponent who does whatever it takes to win, including using his elbows and head. Roach also states that it is a given that Bradley will be in superb condition for his match with Pacquiao.

While acknowledging that Bradley will be a tough opponent for “Pacman”, Roach believes that his fighter excels when facing aggressive opponents, and points out that tough fighters who have faced Manny in the past have not fared well.

It is clear that Roach is happy that Pacquiao has turned his life around and no longer engages in the after hours activities that allegedly caused marital problems in the days leading up to the Marquez fight.

Having been burned by his predictions of an easy KO win by Manny over Juan Manuel Marquez, Roach is now wary about giving any KO predictions in this fight.