Although Bradley prevailed in the judges’ scorecards during their first encounter in 2012, boxing fans have considered Pacquiao as the real winner based on what they saw during the first fight as well as the verdict of five seasoned boxing judges who ruled in favor of Pacquiao after they were asked by the sanctioning body to review the video of the fight.
Having “won two fights” in a row, Pacquiao is expected to win for the third time as there have been no significant improvements Bradley can bring to the table except his successful dismantling of Brandon Rios last November.
But Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach is doubtful about the legitimacy of Bradley’s “sterling performance” over Rios because the ex-Pacquiao foe has put on a lot of weight when he faced Bradley.
BoxingInsider.com asked Roach if Bradley can show the same power he showed in the Rios fight when he squares off with Pacquiao on April 9.
“Well, I don’t think Teddy Atlas brought anything out of him. I thought he fought an opponent who’s fat and out of shape. I mean, you can’t really judge him on that fight. The other fighter was way overweight and looked terrible so, I’ll give Teddy Atlas credit if, he does well against (Manny) Pacquiao,” Roach said.
Most boxers have been used to their original fighting styles which they have been taught in the beginning of their careers and changes in the same takes years to integrate in their new styles.
Trainer Teddy Atlas has been credited for Bradley’s improved performance in the Rios fight but he came in as Bradley’s trainer less than three months before the Rios fight in Nov. 2015.
How can Atlas be credited for having changed Bradley’s fighting style in a matter of three months? It isn’t his fault though, if that is what fans are saying. In fairness to Atlas, he may have pushed Bradley psychologically to win the Rios fight, knowing his fighter is far superior than Rios in terms of physical conditioning.
While Atlas’s expertise as boxing trainer is beyond question, he needs to have more time with the Palm Springs idol to affect positive changes in his fighting style. For now, he can only be a great motivator that he was during the Rios fight.
A well-motivated Bradley could give Pacquiao a nightmare on April 9 but the Filipino star knows Bradley’s fighting style would still be the same having “won” over him twice before.
Pacquiao is likewise motivated as he tangles with Bradley on April 9 because it will be his farewell fight and he wants to end his career “with a bang,” as he said earlier.
Despite the “Atlas factor” and Bradley’s topnotch conditioning, boxing analysts and fans as well know that the Pacquiao-Bradley trilogy fight will end up “3-0” in favor of Pacquiao.
