Joel Diaz says he is ready for Freddie Roach’s bullsh*t; expects the critics to emerge after Bradley beats Pacquiao again

Trainer Joel Diaz breaking down the Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch (Photos: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com / Naoki Fukuda)

By Chris Robinson

Having been linked to WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley dating back to his amateur days, trainer Joel Diaz has over ten years in the bank with one of the world’s best fighters.

Bradley will look for a third successful defense of his crown when he faces off with eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao on April 12 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in a huge rematch.

Bradley upset Pacquiao via a controversial split-decision nearly two years ago and Diaz insists that his fighter is better honed for the second encounter.

“No complaining; everything is going good,” Diaz told me recently. “Preparation is better than the first one. Tim could fight this weekend. Tim has been training really, really hard. He’s excited and most of all he wants to prove that he’s going to beat Manny Pacquiao no doubt.”

Diaz is anticipating more backlash once again following the rematch, and referenced Bradley’s October split-decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez as a possible precursor to how he may operate vs. Pacquiao.

“Even if he beats Manny Pacquiao, regardless of how he beats him, [they] aren’t going to give credit, because there’s always a hypocrite who says ‘Manny Pacquiao is no longer the same after Marquez knocked him out,’” Diaz said.

“All we’re going to do is beat him the way we did to Marquez,” Diaz added. “Marquez, we were not in there to please anybody. We were just in there to take care of business and win.”

Bradley had a banner 2013 that started off with a gutsy victory over Ruslan Provodnikov in a wild brawl before he returned to outfox Marquez over twelve rounds.

Bradley seems to be hitting his stride as a prizefighter and Diaz insists he will be good to go next month.

“Our confidence level is so high,” Diaz explained. “After fighting Ruslan Provodnikov, who hits a lot harder than Manny Pacquiao, and [he] took his punches and finished the fight. And then fighting Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked out Manny Pacquiao, and just cruised and beat him. The confidence level is high. We know what Manny Pacquiao brings to the table and we’re ready for it.”

*** FOR A VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…