EMINENT boxing trainers Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and Robert Garcia see Manny Pacquiao as the prohibitive favorite to prevail over Timothy Bradley in their third showdown on April 9 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The two trainers should know: Both handled fighters who faced the two protagonists in the past.
The 76-year-old Beristain, already enshrined in boxing’s Hall of Fame, is the longtime coach of Juan Manuel Marquez, while the 41-year-old two-time Trainer of the Year Garcia charted the careers of Antonio Margarito and Brandon Rios.
Marquez scored a stunning one-punch knockout of Pacquiao in 2012, erasing the stigma of a draw and two decision losses to the Filipino eight-division world champion earlier in their storied rivalry.
That Bradley beat Marquez by decision in 2013 did little to tarnish the Mexican’s iconic image in his country.
Totally familiar with the skills and ring movements of both Pacquiao and Bradley, Beristain is betting on the Sarangani representative to end his 21-year ring career in style.
“In addition to being a good fighter, Pacquiao is a responsible fighter, professional,” Beristain told ESPN Deportes. “He is not going to walk away [from boxing] with a loss, so he chose Bradley.
“I don’t think Bradley will have a greater opportunity [to win], because Bradley is the same [fighter]—with that stinking, fast and difficult style.”
GARCIA: Pacquiao will score KO this time. ROY LUARCA
Beristain also handled Oscar De La Hoya when boxing’s poster boy was sent to retirement by Pacquiao in 2008.
Nacho Beristain. AP PHOTO
Garcia, who also worked the corner of Margarito when the 5-foot-11 banger was brutalized by Pacquiao in 2010, predicted a stoppage.
“I think Pacquiao’s going to come out and do what he hasn’t done with Bradley before and win by knockout,” Garcia told hoopjab.com. “I think Pacquiao’s going to train hard and wants to look good and impress like he was doing four or five years ago.”