Anyone expecting any kind of pre-fight theatrics to emerge during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley II fight week in Las Vegas has to look no further than six-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach.
During his first few days fielding questions from media inside of the MGM Grand, Roach has exuded confidence while also appearing to have a slight chip on his shoulder due to his desire to unseat Bradley, the sport?s reigning WBO welterweight titlist.
Bradley captured a highly-controversial split-decision over Pacquiao nearly two years ago yet he recovered with a banner 2013 that saw him gut out tough victories over Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.
And while Roach took a playful swipe at Bradley on Tuesday afternoon, simply noting ?We?ll see you in the ring?, his demeanor was much more striking on Wednesday following the final press conference for this weekend?s showdown.
When asked for his thoughts on whether he thinks Bradley has improved following his big victories last year, Roach seemed anything but sold, referencing just how tough the war with Provodnikov truly was.
?He was knocked down three times in that fight?? Roach questioned. ?That?s improvement? He might have brain damage. His speech is terrible. I don?t see any improvement at all.?
Bradley showed new wrinkles to his game in out boxing Marquez over 12 tense rounds yet Roach questions what version of the Mexican star showed up that evening.
?Marquez looked like a bum,? Roach boldly claimed. ?Did Marquez look like the same guy who beat Manny Pacquiao??
With so much brash pre-fight dialogue floating around in the air, it almost seems as if Roach has a slight personal vendetta against Bradley time around.
Not true, insists Roach, as he kept things professional.
?He?s not a bad person or nothing like that,? said Roach. ?I just have the better fighter; that?s all.?
