Manny Pacquiao next fight rumors: Slower 'PacMan' will still go for the kill

(Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus)Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr.

For Manny Pacquiao, there could be some significant changes once he takes the ring and meets rival Timothy Bradley Jr. for a third time.

The match is set for April 9, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas in what Pacquiao says is his last boxing match. But will fans get to see the same lightning-quick punching Pacquiao for that night?

Though Pacquiao has reportedly shown through his training that he still packs a punch, his speed has somehow diminished.

There are a lot of factors tied up to that with the recent surgery on his shoulder coming to mind.

Trainer Freddie Roach did not deny the fact that Pacquiao has slowed down a lot compared to 2009 when he faced Briton Ricky Hatton. But just the same, the legendary trainer emphasized that there will be no change in strategy and Pacquiao will go for the kill as he normally does.

Roach actually didn't have to emphasize on such, with Bradley and trainer Teddy Atlas expecting Pacquiao to come out firing. Either way, it is shaping up to be an action-packed fight with both boxers expected to get it on with their vaunted punching attacks.

Atlas does, however, add that Pacquiao could also resort to being cautious. It is a known fact that with this being the Filipino boxer's last fight, there is a chance that he will try and avoid a possible knockout from "Desert Storm".

By that, Atlas was referring to the KO loss that Pacquiao suffered at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez back in 2012. Was Atlas trying to emphasize the TKO win of his boy against Brandon Rios on his last time out?

In a way, it could be, as critics feel that Rios was out of shape and that led to his loss. Pacquiao is in deep training and is likely to be ready though 'distractions' from his political ambitions could sink in.

Copyright © 2015 Ecumenical News