Manny Pacquiao promised to deliver an action-packed finale to his 21-year boxing career on Friday as he prepared to climb into the ring for the last time.
The 37-year-old Filipino boxing superstar takes on long-time rival Tim Bradley in Las Vegas on Saturday in what he says will be his final fight before retiring.
Pacquiao and Bradley squared up to each other before a raucous crowd of a few thousand fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday for the weigh-in, with both men well within the 147-pound limit.
Pacquiao tipped the scales at 145.5 pounds, half a pound heavier than his weight for his last outing 11 months ago, his money-spinning mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather.
Bradley, 33-1-1, was a pound heavier at 146.5.
Pacquiao, 57-6-2, has made no secret of his desire to crown his career with an explosive display against Bradley, who has taken him the distance twice before.
“Expect more action that the last fights we had,” said Pacquiao, who plans to concentrate on a political career in the Philippines when he retires.
Bradley meanwhile, who beat Pacquiao via a deeply controversial split decision in 2012 before losing the rematch, looked in formidable shape as he stripped down for the cameras.
The 32-year-old from California shrugged off catcalls from the largely pro-Pacquiao crowd, telling the audience: “I think there’s going to be a lot of disappointed fans tomorrow night.”
Pacquiao, who earned a staggering $150 million from his defeat to Mayweather last year, will bank another $20 million purse for Saturday’s bout.
Although he has stated it is last fight, he has pointedly declined to definitively rule-out a return to the ring.
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