HOLLYWOOD—For veteran trainer Ben Delgado, the only way Tim Bradley would beat his former ward, Manny Pacquiao, is by “accidental knockout.”
The 79-year-old Delgado, who first handled Pacquiao in 1997 and accompanied the eight-division world champion in his United States furlough in 2001, though, believes such monumental upset won’t happen.
“Pacquiao’s got busy hands, so Bradley isn’t likely to sneak in a lucky punch,” said Delgado on Thursday (Friday in Manila).
According to Delgado, referred to as Tatay Ben in Team Pacquiao circle, the third showdown between Pacquiao and Bradley is likely to be a technical bout with Pacquiao again emerging the victor.
Though Pacquiao “lost” his first bout with Bradley in 2012 it’s universally acknowledged as a bum decision. Pacquiao beat Bradley by unanimous decision in their rematch in 2014.
“Pacquiao knows how to deal with Bradley and nothing much has changed between the two fighters,” said Delgado, now based in the United States.