“When you have begin in this business, as a fighter and maybe later on as a trainer [or] coach, you aspire to be the best,” said Atlas. “I mean, that is what makes it all worth while, whether you get there or not.”
“You’re trying to get the same place, the people in the NFL, people in the MLB, people in the NBA, they’re trying to get to the Super Bowl.”
Atlas went on to compare Pacquaio and Bradley by comparing them to another rivalry on the football field.
“These fighters, staying on that analogy, staying on that path, are Peyton Manning and (Tom) Brady,” said the American trainer. “They’ve been to a lot of Super Bowls, and this is what they are in the business for.”
Bradley’s trainer went on to discuss how difficult of a challenge he believes Pacquaio to be on April 9, but reiterated his belief in his fighter by comparing him favorably to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
“Its a tremendous challenge, a difficult challenge, but we look forward to it, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be in another super bowl,” said Atlas before pointing at Bradley and declaring.
“I am taking Brady.”
Bradley, Roach respond
Never one to take trash talk laying down, Pacquaio’s long-time trainer Freddie Roach also got in on the act.
Roach opened his part of the press conference by expressing his belief that Pacquiao is the greatest fighter of the last decade and his era, saying that his achievements in the ring may not be matched.
“I think Manny Pacquiao is the greatest fighter of the decade, of his era. Eight world championships, I will never see that in my lifetime again,” said Roach. “No one will duplicate that, Manny, that is yours forever.”
The celebrated trainer then dug into Atlas and Bradley with an American Football analogy as well.
“As far as football goes, I am from New England and I like the Patriots a bit, but you can have Brady,” he said.
When it was Bradley’s turn on the podium, the American fighter first explained how he felt that the third meeting between him and Pacquiao would be different from their previous altercations, and that both competitors wanted the win badly.
“It’s Manny Pacquiao’s farewell fight. Manny Pacquiao wants to win this fight really badly, and so do I,” said Bradley.
Bradley then capped off his part of the press conference with a American Football flavored jab at Freddie Roach.
“I may not be Brady, but he (Freddie Roach) is definitely not Bill Belichick.”
Manny Pacquiao did not have any American Football references to add.
Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley will face off for a third time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 9 (April 10 PHT).
On a side note, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will go up against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos for the AFC title on January 25 PHT.
Related: Manny Pacquiao dedicates last fight to countrymen
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Pacquiao-Bradley III is set to be Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao’s final tussle in the boxing ring. During the first press conference of the fight on Wednesday (January 20 PHT), Timothy Bradley’s trainer Teddy Atlas couldn’t help but draw analogies to one of America’s favorite sports.
