Freddie Roach dismisses Teddy Atlas’ impact on third fight

Ryan Songalia

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Freddie Roach dismisses Teddy Atlas’ impact on third fight

AFP

Roach isn't convinced a new trainer can produce a new result in the third fight between Pacquiao and Bradley

LAS VEGAS, USA – One of the main selling points for a third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr is the idea that Bradley has vastly improved under trainer Teddy Atlas and that he presents a different challenge than he did in their first two meetings.

It’s an idea that Pacquiao’s long-time trainer Freddie Roach outright dismisses. “No, I don’t think you can change anyone that quickly,” said Roach on Tuesday, April 5.

Both Roach, a pupil of legendary trainer Eddie Futch, and Atlas, who studied under another legend in Cus D’Amato, have been critical of each other at one point or another during the buildup to the fight, which has not generated as much buzz as their first two encounters.

Bradley (33-1-1, 13 knockouts) won a controversial split decision in their first fight while Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 knockouts) avenged the loss with a clear unanimous decision in their 2014 rematch.

While Bradley believes Atlas, who led him to a 9th round technical knockout win over Brandon Rios in their first fight together last November, will be his key to securing a clear win, Roach thinks the verbose Atlas will change little.

“All the stories about the firemen and all the bullshit, give me a break. Does that really motivate a fighter? Why don’t you tell him what to do?,” said Roach. 

“In my mind, that doesn’t help [Bradley] fight. It doesn’t help the mistakes he’s making, the stuff he has to stop doing or start doing. That’s his style.

Bradley (33-1-1, 13 knockouts) won a controversial split decision in their first fight while Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) avenged the loss with a clear unanimous decision in their 2014 rematch.

Atlas, who had trained Michael Moorer and Alexander Povetkin to heavyweight title wins, came out of retirement to work with Bradley. Their first fight together produced Bradley’s first knockout win in years, though Roach has dismissed that result as being due to Rios’ poor conditioning.

Atlas says he and the former junior welterweight and two-time welterweight titleholder from Palm Springs, California have studied tape to see past the talent of Pacquiao to study habits which they can exploit.

“And I think we have a handle on that,” said Atlas, a native of Staten Island, N.Y. “It’s our job to act in that moment, the prelude before he gets from point A to point B.”

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune thinks Bradley will revert to his instincts – which are to fight back when hurt – once he gets rattled.

“When you get hit, he goes back to what he’s been doing the last 30-odd fights. That’s what programmed in him,” said Fortune, who himself was a heavyweight boxer during the 90s.

“A new trainer, especially the second fight out, can’t change his tactics in the middle of a fight. No reflection on Teddy at all, it’s just the second fight.”

Pacquiao isn’t sure what to make of Bradley’s new trainer, but seems intrigued by something new being added to a familiar rivalry. 

“I’m not saying improved but I think he has a new style, different than the last two fights,” said Pacquiao. – Rappler.com


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