Pacquiao says Top Rank chose Timothy Bradley as final opponent

Manny Pacquiao wants to end his Hall of Fame career with a bang -- and he hopes that 'bang' is Timothy Bradley's head hitting the mat for a ten-count.

"I'm trying to have a knockout in that fight," Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 knockouts) said after playing pick-up basketball in Manila, Philippines. "I'm not saying to predict the fight, but I'm trying to do my best so the people enjoy my last fight."

Pacquiao, like some others, doesn't believe that Teddy Atlas will be a difference maker in his third meeting with Bradley, saying that he already knows what Bradley brings to the table.

"I know his style and I have to prepare for that," said Pacquiao.

He goes on to talk about his future in politics, mentioning that it wasn't hard to decide to fight only once more because he has other important duties to attend to. Interestingly enough, according the report, Manny Pacquaio says it was actually Top Rank who elected for Bradley to be his next opponent, mentioning that he really had no personal preference.

The two-city Pacquiao-Bradley III press tour is expected to be kicked off on Jan. 19th at the Beverly Hills Hotel, then hitting Madison Square Garden in New York City on Jan. 21st.