Trainer Joel Diaz unimpressed with Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Rios; claims his killer instinct is gone

Trainer Joel Diaz speaking in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)

By Chris Robinson

When it comes to the abilities of his fighter, WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley, trainer Joel Diaz is as brazen as a supporter as you will.

A former title challenger himself back in his fighting days, Diaz talks with a sharp tongue and is often unforgiving in his assessments of opponents of his fighters.

That being said, it was no surprise to find out that Diaz is exuding confidence heading into Bradley’s big rematch against Pacquiao, set for April 12 inside of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Speaking with me for a few moments before the Pacquiao-Bradley II kickoff press conference inside of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, Diaz is eager to show that Bradley’s controversial split-decision victory over Pacquiao in their June 2012 encounter can be improved upon.

“We’re going to finish what we stated,” stated Diaz. “We’ve got unfinished business. Now we are here to give the people what they want to see.”

Bradley endeared himself to hardcore fans this past March with a gutsy, give and take battle over Ruslan Provodnikov and followed it up seven months later with a tactical and determined effort in edging Juan Manuel Marquez over twelve rounds.

“You guys seen it all,” Diaz stated. “You see Tim Bradley it out with Provodnikov and you guys saw Tim Bradley beat Juan Manuel Marquez. That said, Tim Bradley has built a lot of confidence and he has improved in his craft and he has matured.”

Pacquiao was last seen in the ring in November in Macau, China as he won a comfortable unanimous decision over Brandon Rios.

Coming off of a knockout loss to Marquez one fight prior, Pacquiao seemed to show that his body and mind were well up to the task as he was simply too fluid and fast for the come forward style of Rios.

Still, Diaz is far from convinced.

“I saw him against Brandon Rios,” Diaz affirmed. “And just watching the fight with Manny and him, I’m not going to lie, in the later rounds the fight became boring a little bit. He doesn’t have the spark. He doesn’t have the killer instinct that he used to have a few years ago.

“He’s getting older,” Diaz added. “A lot of fights. A lot of wear and tear. Plus, coming from a loss, the one he had, it’s big.”

CHECK BELOW FOR all-access Pacquiao-Bradley II press conference coverage from Los Angeles as well as other boxing updates…