MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach has warned WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley about expecting to see the Manny Pacquiao that he barely defeated in their first fight two years ago.
Roach and Pacquiao have arrived in Los Angeles to wrap up their training for the Filipino icon’s April 12 rematch against Bradley, and the multi-awarded trainer says he so far has his ward right where he wants him.
“We had a great camp in the Philippines and Manny, as usual, is way ahead of schedule in his conditioning, and very motivated," Roach said in a report by ringtv.com’s Lem Satterfield.
Roach and Pacquiao spent a good portion of training in General Santos City, where the fighting congressman looked good in sparring and other workout routines.
"We have great sparring waiting for Manny. He wants that title back," he said
The bespectacled cornerman now braces for the hard grind at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, where Pacquiao will taper off his preparation
"The real business begins for us on Monday at Wild Card,†Roach added.
Bradley, who escaped with a controversial decision against Paquiao the first time they met in June 2012, is out to prove that his win over the Filipino in legitimate. But Roach warned that a different Pacquiao will show up in their rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, for his part, has vowed to return to his aggressive form and go all out against Bradley this time.
"If Bradley thinks he's going to see the same compassionate Manny he saw the first time they fought he is in for a very big surprise," Roach stressed.