Tim Bradley working out in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
As he heads into his April 12 rematch with Tim Bradley, there has been an overall positive buzz coming from the training camp of eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao.
Having had a chance to witness Pacquiao work inside of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles on a few occasions, respected cut man and trainer Miguel Diaz affirmed just how sharp the Filipino icon has been looking.
“He’s in the best shape of his life,” said Diaz, who will be working Pacquiao’s corner when he tangles with Bradley again inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Believe me when I say that,” Diaz added. “He’s really, really in great, great shape. Mentally and physically.”
In Bradley, Pacquiao will be going up against one of the most confident and iron-willed champions in the game.
Bradley received some criticism following his controversial split-decision victory over Pacquiao in June of 2012 but he seemed to make great strides this past year with gutty decision triumphs over Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Marquez fight in particular showcased Bradley’s ring smarts and boxing acumen as he found a way to out thwart the Mexican legend over twelve tense and tactical rounds.
Still, Diaz was far from impressed.
“Tim Bradley, even winning the fight with Marquez, didn’t show me anything different from when he fought Pacquiao,” the Argentinean native explained.
To really know Diaz, it’s not surprising to hear him critique Bradley.
Having been with former two-division titlist Joel Casamayor prior to his November 2011 match vs. Bradley, Diaz knew all too well in training camp that the once-great Cuban southpaw was far from focused and years past his peak.
And after seeing Bradley take several rounds before breaking Casamayor, then 40 years old, down completely, Diaz couldn’t help but take notice.
“The only thing I can tell you is this,” Diaz stated. “When he fought the fighter I trained for three weeks, Casamayor, who only sparred 12 rounds and he only worked three weeks, it took him eight rounds to find out that Casamayor didn’t have nothing. That caught my attention a little bit.”
*** FOR A VISIT back in Pacquiao’s career in photos, check the thumbnails below…
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com