Bradley has departed from his previous fighting strategy under former trainer Joel Diaz to embrace a whole new relationship with his new trainer Teddy Atlas.
The 32-year-old Palm Springs star has criticized Diaz for not having a sufficient game plan in his last two fights against Pacquiao as he tries to compare Diaz with Atlas in terms of fight strategy formulation.
“The difference this time around is that I have a game plan,” Bradley said. “I really do have a game plan. … The game plan for the first fight was to avoid the left hand. That was it. There was really nothing else to it. Avoid the left hand, hit him with a right hand.”
Giving full credit to Atlas for his knockout win against Brandon Rios, Bradley is now fully convinced that Atlas will do wonders for him when he squares off with Pacquiao for the third time.
Bradley has said repeatedly that he will not deviate for a single moment from what Atlas will tell him to do in between rounds in his corner. The problem here is he needs to decide on his own in a live round without consulting Atlas. This is where the problem comes because he has no choice but to adjust to the situation.
In a recent press statement, Bradley was asked how he will get credit for having outpointed Pacquiao in their first fight where he was criticized for claiming that he won fair and square.
“I’ve gone down the road of thinking I need a KO and it didn’t work to benefit me. At this time I just know that I have to do my job; I will step in that ring and follow instructions from my corner that should get me my victory and credit that I deserve,” Bradley said.
Then Bradley was asked about his new training technique under Atlas which he will use to secure a convincing win over Pacquiao on fight night.
“The most important thing about this fight that wasn’t there before is my new trainers Teddy presence. Him and I have developed a new strategy and have changed my preparations. Besides this change I think the best wisdom I’ve learned from the 2 previous matches is that I just need to stick to the plan and fight like I know how.” he added.
Sticking to the plan without making any adjustments as the situation demands could be dangerous for Bradley as he could succumb almost instantly to Pacquiao’s speed and power. He won’t have time to consult with Atlas once he gets caught with an unobstructed power shot.
Bradley knows that Pacquiao is unstoppable once he smells blood and he won’t have the luxury of time to finish the round in order to find out what Atlas would want him to do in the next round.
While it is important for a fighter to listen and follow instructions from his corner, he needs to decide on his own in certain situations where there is a need to deviate from the original plan.
