Timothy Bradley listens to his trainer, Teddy Atlas, during a workout session in his gym. (Roy Luarca)
Palm Springs — Fighting Manny Pacquiao is like having a death sentence hanging.
That’s how Tim Bradley feels as his third showdown with Pacquiao nears.
“It (fight) consumes you as you don’t know what will happen (in the ring),” Bradley said while limbering up in the ring of his gym here. “It will be on your conscience. You can’t enjoy until that day (April 9) happens. It’s pain, agony.”
Bradley, of course, knows that beating Pacquiao won’t be easy. The five-time champion admits he needs to be flawless in executing what he and trainer Teddy Atlas have been doing in training to exact vengeance on his 2014 tormentor.
“I can’t make mistakes against this guy,” said Bradley. “But if I listen to Teddy, do what he exactly tells me, there’s no problem.”
According to Bradley, he’s ready to engage Pacquiao in whatever type of battle the Filipino ring icon will choose to bring to the ring on fight night at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“We’re ready for it. We’re ready for wherever we have to be. Enclosed in a phone booth, suitcase, or a cubicle.”
As much as possible, however, Bradley wouldn’t want to be caught in such close combat as “If you’re close with Manny, he has that terrible habit of filling that space.”
To counter Pacquiao’s perceived edge in speed and power, Bradley said he has to box smart and be at his optimum form.
To attain it and stun Pacquiao, Bradley is following what Atlas is espousing. He’s taking care of his body, preserving his strength, and using his gifts.
Bradley said he’s no longer pushing himself to exhaustion in training, just doing it right. For example, he no longer runs a lot, with 3.5 miles (5.6 km) the farthest he’d gone in this camp.
The mental stress, however, will remain until the final bell has rung. Only then can Bradley be very happy, or be very sad.