Bradley hints at ‘big game plan’ for third Pacquiao fight

Nissi Icasiano

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Bradley hints at ‘big game plan’ for third Pacquiao fight
'We have a big game plan going into this fight and I am looking closely at Pacquiao and his weaknesses,' says Bradley

MANILA, Philippines – Timothy Bradley Jr is hoping a third fight is the charm on as he seeks a convincing victory over Manny Pacquiao in their rubber match on April 9 (April 10 in Manila).

The third encounter between Pacquiao and Bradley is expected to be a continuation of their first two fights, according to most boxing pundits, where the sport’s only 8-division world champion held the upperhand for most of the bout.

Bradley picked up a controversial victory over Pacquiao by way of split decision in June 2012, with two judges scoring it 115–113 in favor of the American boxer and the other 115–113 to his Filipino rival.

In their April 2014 rematch, Pacquiao avenged the loss and routed Bradley via unanimous decision to regain the WBO welterweight championship.

Bradley is determined to prove that he can score a decisive win against the Filipino boxing icon, hinting at a game plan that could negate Pacquiao’s relentless style in the ring.

“Our approach this time is going to be way different,” Bradley said in a conference call on Wednesday. “We have a big game plan going into this fight and I am looking closely at Pacquiao and his weaknesses.”

Many boxing coaches have shot down the notion that veteran trainer Teddy Atlas will make a difference in Bradley’s corner versus Pacquiao, but the American boxer begs to disagree.

The 32-year-old native of Palm Springs, California asserted that Atlas polished his arsenal as a two-fisted fighter and taught him to stay focused under pressure.

“I’ve learned a lot of things, but the hardest thing for me is to trust the game plan at all times in the ring, in training. What I mean by that is that no matter what’s going on, no matter how bad a day you’re having, you always have to be focused, You always have to be committed,” Bradley stated.

Bradley acquired the services of Atlas to prepare him in his WBO welterweight title defense this past November.

Their first ride together produced a rare Bradley knockout win as he defeated Brandon Rios by ninth-round stoppage.

“We have a game plan, I just have to go out there and execute it, just like I did against Rios. I trust everything that Teddy is telling me and teaching me. I’ve just got to do my job,” Bradley shared.

Bradley stressed that Pacquiao always has the same approach in all of his fights and vows to exploit it on fight night as he plots a different strategy to confuse the 37-year-old southpaw.

“Manny Pacquiao pretty much does the same things. He’s going to bring the intensity, he’s going to come forward, [and] he’s going to be the Manny Pacquiao that we have always seen. He knows me, but I think I’m going to be a little different now,” he said. – Rappler.com

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