Atlas starts reviewing Pacquiao fights

MANILA, Philippines – Timothy Bradley’s trainer has started doing his homework even before the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and the chiseled American boxer was sealed just over a week ago.

Teddy Atlas, who has taken over Bradley’s training since late last year, said he’d started analyzing the first two fights between Pacquiao and Bradley in 2012 and 2014.

The first fight ended with a very close and controversial decision for Bradley. Two years later they figured in a rematch, and Pacquiao won unanimously.

When it came pretty clear that the third fight would happen, Atltas said he didn’t waste time and started going through the fight tapes.

“I already looked at it,” Atlas told ESPN.com after third fight, set to take place April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, was sealed on New Year’s Eve.

“I don’t believe in waiting,” he added.

Atlas dissected the two fights, looking for ways to win. He must have found some and from there he would draw the battle plan for Bradley.

“When this fight was first discussed, I looked at it and I see what I should see and I see why Pacquiao was able to be effective and why Tim was able to be effective at the times when he was effective,” he said.

“It’ll be a tough challenge, but we’ll make sure we’re ready for [it]. Will do what we’re supposed to do and be 100 percent prepared. It will be a difficult fight,” Atlas added.

The April 9 rubber match will be Pacquiao’s last.

“My April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley will be my last,” said Pacquiao, who’s running as senator in the May 9 Philippine elections.

He’s confident of victory.

“I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,” he said.