Photo from Top Rank
PALM SPRINGS — Watching Teddy Atlas and Timothy Bradley rehearsing their training routine Friday is like watching a television sitcom.
Though they were fiery and intense, they looked like following a script with choreographed moves for the media gathered at Bradley’s gym here.
One time, Atlas gently flicked a towel on Bradley’s hips as the Californian was pounding the heavy bag. He wasn’t at the place where Atlas thinks he’d be most effective.
“Make that first move,” Atlas told Bradley. “Don’t give him the chance (to dictate the tempo).”
Bradley obliged and Atlas muttered.
“Beautiful. I like that. Take him out of his comfort zone”
Being a former boxing analyst for TV, Atlas sure knows how to exploit his ring presence.
In another instance, Atlas hollered to Bradley: “Let if fly. Don’t let him see you. Take your time.”
Atlas wants Bradley to unleash more punches while Pacquiao is on attack mode. He’s also urging Bradley to be patient.
They huddled often with Atlas in command and Bradley following orders.
For the Filipino sportswriters who travelled over 180 kilometers from Hollywood to reach Bradleys’ residence, the workout provided relief from the high-octane training they’ve seen at Manny Pacquiao’s own training camp in Hollywood.
Atlas, who’d occasionally look at his notes, certainly knows how to work under the glare of TV lights, even telling the crew on when to shoot.
During their mitts session, Atlas asked those present, including children, to refrain from taking pictures of videos for three minutes or one round.
Journalists and guests from nearby counties didn’t mind as they’ve been warmly welcomed at the distant gym by Bradley’s wife Monica and father Timothy Sr.
There were freshly cooked tacos and cold water at the gym entrance and they were gobbled up in no time. That was real hunger.