MANILA, Philppines – Freddie Roach may have raved about Tim Bradley?s youth and durability but that?s the only thing the multi-awarded trainer has to say about the undefeated American puncher.
Roach is getting Manny Pacquiao ready for the June 9 clash with Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and while he appeared to have praised the American fighter, he doesn?t give him the creeps.
?He?s never impressed me,? Roach said during a recent Q&A with HBO.
Roach said Pacquiao is going to have an easy time putting Bradley in his proper place and believes he will suffer the same fate as that of British banger Ricky Hatton, who Pacquiao blasted out in less than two rounds three years ago.
Bradley, speaking in the same HBO forum, said Roach will be in for a huge surprise.
?Freddie has confidence in his fighter, and that’s great, but I don’t think that they realize what they’re getting into, to be honest with you,? said Bradley, a 3-1 underdog.
Both fighters are in the thick of their training ? Pacquiao at the Wild Card in Hollywood and Bradley in the desert of Palm Springs.
Pacquiao again declined to say how the fight will go but expressed optimism that he?d become victorious once again as he pins his hopes on Roach and his training team and his renewed faith in God.
Bradley is more vocal about his chances, stressing that because Pacquiao is quite allergic to counter-punchers like his nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao will be in for a lot of trouble against him.
?They may think that Marquez just has Manny?s number, but whatever Marquez can do, I can do 10 times better. He?s great at counter-punching, and I?m devastating at counter-punching,? said Bradley.
But can Bradley walk the walk and talk the talk?
