With two of the most gentlemanly boxers in the sport turning
Wednesday’s final press conference at the MGM Grand for Saturday’s HBO
pay-per-view fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley into a
lovefest of praise, compliments, reflection and even some unlikely
political stumping, well, it’s enough to make any reporter nervous.
Where’s the trash-talk? Where’s Floyd Mayweather or Adrien Broner
when you need someone to spice up a pugilistic gathering? Even
inimitable 84-year-old Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, celebrating his 50th
year in boxing and well known for his caustic remarks, had only kind
words for everyone involved in his company’s promotion.
Turns out we didn’t have to look far for caustic remarks.
Freddie Roach and Teddy Atlas wear controversy like a badge of honor.
A couple of old-school trainers who have been known to shoot from the hip and the lip and simply don’t like each other.
Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year and Hall of Famer who has
been Pacquiao’s cornerman and confidante for the last 15 years. And
Atlas, the longtime ESPN boxing analyst who has trained several
prominent heavyweights – including Mike Tyson, Michael Moorer and
Alexander Povetkin – and who has worked with Bradley for two fights,
including Saturday’s third between the two.
Atlas and Roach will face off in the ring for the first time.
“I don’t like Teddy and he doesn’t like me,” Roach said. “But that’s OK. He says he’s a better trainer than me, but we’ll see.”
Their dislike for one another traces back to a former heavyweight champ.
“I don’t know why Teddy got mad at me when I took over Moorer, but he
quit with (him), and then he gave me a lot of (crap) after that,” Roach
said. “But he’s been an announcer for a long time and that’s what he
is.”
Asked about his relationship with Roach, Atlas, who was praised for
giving Bradley a brilliant game plan for his TKO victory against Brandon
Rios in November in their first fight together, was more cautious with
his words.
