By Miguel Rivera
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is expected a very aggressive Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), who takes on Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KOs) in their third and final meeting.
The HBO Pay-Per-View fight takes place on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bradley parted ways last September with career-long trainer Joel Diaz and hired Teddy Atlas, who is best known for training several heavyweight champions.
Roach expects the same outcome as the first two meetings. Bradley won a twelve round split decision over Pacquiao in 2012. The was widely viewed as being very controversial. Pacquiao easily swept his way to a twelve round unanimous decision in the 2014 rematch.
Pacquiao is planning to retire following this fight. Presently the Filipino star is running for a senate seat in the Philippines.
Roach is confident that Pacquiao will push through for a victory. He has doubts about Atlas' ability to change anything about Bradley.
"He has a new trainer. He has completely changed his game plan. However, I don't think a boxer can completely change their style in such a short time," said Roach to ESPN Deportes.
"I see a fight that will be very similar to previous ones. I hope Manny will knock him out this time, to put a cherry on the cake, as it's going to be the end of his career. Teddy Atlas believes he is the world's greatest trainer. But I don't know how much can change Bradley, a fighter who has always been very dedicated to the gym."
"Manny will be a little more aggressive. I've said that, as this is apparently his last fight so we need to look very good. He insists that this will be his last fight and we have to believe him. Although, to tell you the truth, I'm not so sure that he will [retire]. To continue in boxing while serving as a senator, it would be too much work for him. As a congressman, it hasn't been as difficult for him to continue boxing, but the Senate is very different, more demanding "