MANILA, Philippines ? The past few weeks in the desert heat of Palm Springs, a 28-year-old fighter being written off as nothing but cannon fodder has been busy making heads turn.
Tim Bradley, who faces the biggest fight of his career when he meets Manny Pacquiao on June 9 in Las Vegas, has been training like a madman to the point that his trainers have pleaded for him to take a break.
Chief trainer Joel Diaz told the Desert Sun, the main paper serving the Coachella Valley of Southern California, that Bradley ?hasn?t had an off day? after the fighter agreed to ?slow down on Saturdays and take Sundays off.?
?I’m really happy with how things are going. Tim hasn’t had an off day.?
Before heeding the advice, Bradley opened up the week ?a little sluggish.?
But as soon as Bardley took it nice and easy during the weekends, the effect was readily felt.
?I finally made him realize that he has to slow down on Saturdays and take Sundays off. He did it last week, and on Monday he looked spectacular.?
Meanwhile, Pacquiao did not show up for training on Wednesday at the Wild Card after reportedly undergoing an intense plyometrics workout in the morning.
Taking a day-off is nothing new to Pacquiao, who is expected to return to the gym with a big bang.
Banking on a vegan diet which he says is a crucial factor in the training, Bradley said he has Pacquiao all figured out as well aside from the fact that he is not intimidated by the prospects of banging with the world best fighter.
Pacquiao is a 3-1 favorite and is likewise in the thick of training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood under Freddie Roach.
Team Pacquiao acknowledges the fact that Bradley has yet to be beaten and is not only young and durable but hungry for recognition.
