MANILA, Philippines - It took Manny Pacquiao only two rounds to get rid of Ricky Hatton in 2009. According to trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s next opponent Tim Bradley
fights just like Hatton but has a stronger chin so the unbeaten
challenger called “Desert Storm” will likely last up to six rounds
before capitulating.
Pacquiao stakes his WBO welterweight crown against Bradley at the MGM
Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 9. The 33-year-old Filipino was
installed an early 5-1 favorite by Las Vegas oddsmakers to whip
Bradley.There’s no doubt in Roach’s mind that Bradley will end up flat on his back like Hatton. “He fights just like Hatton with a stronger chin,” said Roach. “He thinks he’s the best conditioned boxer in the world. For sure, he works out everyday. From what I know, he walks around at 165 pounds with very little body fat. He’s all muscle. I don’t think he’ll come in lighter than Manny.”
Bradley has scaled 138 to 140 pounds in eight of his last nine outings. He was at his heaviest when he weighed 147 in outpointing Luis Abregu two years ago. Last November, Bradley checked in at 140 to stop Joel Casamayor in the eighth round. It was his first win by knockout in the last 10 bouts, indicating lack of power. Bradley’s KO rate is 41 percent compared to Pacquiao’s 70 percent.
“Not much power,” said Roach. “Not much footwork. He’s not shifty. One thing, he’s never been beaten. He’s a tough guy. He’ll come forward. There’s no quit in him. He doesn’t cut easy. It’s his opponents who get cut because he likes to charge in with his head. This guy will fight ‘til the end. He’ll force Manny to knock him out. I guarantee it’ll be an all-action fight.”
Bradley, 28, was floored twice in his fight against Kendall Holt in 2009. He went down from a counter left hook in the first round and fell once more from a counter right hook in the 12th. To his credit, Bradley survived both knockdowns to score a unanimous decision over Holt. Roach is aware of Bradley’s resiliency and he’ll remind Pacquiao repeatedly not to take him lightly.
Roach said Bradley’s style is tailor-fit for Pacquiao and dismissed speculation he’ll turn counterpuncher to simulate Juan Manuel Marquez who gave the Filipino icon trouble in three fights although the Mexican never won a single encounter. “Someone asked if we’ll be ready if Bradley turns counterpuncher,” said Roach. “That’s not going to happen. A fighter doesn’t change styles just like that. Bradley will fight Manny the only way he knows how and Manny will be ready for him.”
Roach said when Pacquiao left Manila for Los Angeles last Saturday, he was right on training schedule. “We’re on course,” he said. “When Manny showed up in Baguio, he wanted to do more than he should. That’s just like Manny. He’s in excellent shape. We did four and six rounds of sparring in Baguio. In L.A., we’ll do 10 then 12 leading up to the fight. We’ve got four weeks of training in L.A. and he’ll be 100 percent by fight night. Everything is proceeding smoothly. No distractions, no playing darts, no playing cards, no playing basketball, no playing pool. It’s all Bible study now ‘til late. Nothing’s changed with Manny in the gym. He’s so focused. He pushes himself just as hard as before.”
Roach said Bradley, a vegan, boasts of being in tip-top physical condition. “It’s new blood going against old blood,” said Bradley, quoted by the Wall Street Journal. “I’m in my prime. I don’t think I can go vegan year round. But for fights, I have to do it. I’ll still be a vegan even after the weigh-in.” Bradley said he eats strictly vegan for three months leading to a fight. He began the diet in 2008.
Roach said Bradley belongs to the new generation of fighters and Pacquiao agreed to face a younger opponent to prove he ducks nobody. “Some people ask why risk fighting a new generation guy like Bradley,” said Roach. “That’s Manny’s call. He wants to prove he’s still the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter and if that means taking a risk against Bradley, then he’ll do it.”
- By Joaquin Henson (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)