Roach confident that Pacquiao can tame Bradley
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Apr 2012
While undefeated Timothy Bradley could turn out to be one of the toughest customers to deal with, Manny Pacquiao?s chief trainer Freddie Roach said the Filipino ring idol can handle the junior-welterweight titleholder when they meet June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
?Bradley is rough, I can tell you that. But remember none of the tough guys Manny fought before lasted,? the 52-year-old Hall of Famer told this writer in an interview at the Shape Up Boxing Gym inside the Cooyeesan Hotel here.
?Bradley is tough because besides throwing hard punches, he?s also capable of using his head, elbows, everything in his desire to win. He, therefore, is a dangerous opponent contrary to what others are saying,? Roach cautioned as he waited for Pacquiao?s arrival here to start training.
The World Boxing Organization welterweight belt holder, whose title he is staking, was scheduled to arrive this City of Pines yesterday, but Roach received note that his prized ward would come later in the day.
Meaning the training camp Roach pitched early last week would be officially in operation today.
?Bradley?s not dirty though as others picture him to be It is just his style of fighting.? he clarified. ?He just fight to win and to attain that goal, he?ll be taking advantage of every opportunity that would come his way.?
?Ricky is tough, but look what happened to him,? Roach cited in reference to Ricky Hatton whom Pacquiao halted in only two rounds. ?Oscar (DeLa Hoya) is tough, too and Miguel (Cotto), Erik (Morales) and many more who all failed to see the bouts ended in 12 (rounds).?
?We stopped them because we didn?t let them do it. And that?s what we intend to do in this fight. Knock the hell out of Bradley. That?s what this camp is all about,? he said. ?We?ll be out there on the road, inside the ring for one purpose ? win and win impressively, possibly by knockout,? Roach vowed.
?That?s the reason why I felt glad learning from Manny?s mouth himself that he?s changed. No more gambling, drinking, night owling. Just teaching his fellowmen the Bible,? he added.
Told that attending prayer rallies, preaching the Bible are also time-consuming and can still serve as distractions, Roach, a Catholic retorted: ?Well, at least, is a better distractions than those that marked his previous fights.?
Reminded that Pacquiao should?ve started his fine-tuning regimen last Monday but will actually start Wednesday Roach answered: ?Not late really. He started Monday, we would?ve gone three days already. Still okay.?
?Manny is Manny, you know. We?ve been together more than a decade. He?s always been like that. But when he starts working out, he?ll make the most out of it even to the extent of killing himself,? he said.
?As I trainer, I always allow him to do whatever he wants, but in training, he knows I would do whatever I want. He?s the fighter, he fights. I?m his trainer,? he said. ?That?s what our relation is all about. That?s why we are successful, perhaps.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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