Timothy Bradley Is Rough, Dangerous Fighter, Freddie Roach Says

WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley is a rough and dangerous fighter, according to Freddie Roach, long time trainer and coach of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao and Bradley are scheduled to face each other in the ring on June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Bradley is undefeated in 28 outings and ranked No. 8 in the Ring's pound-for-pound ratings. Pacquiao is the current pound-for-pound best fighter followed by Floyd Mayweather as the second best in the prestigious Ring ratings.

“Bradley is rough, I can tell you that. But remember none of the tough guys Manny fought before lasted,” Roach told writer Eddie Alinea of Philboxing.

“Bradley is tough because besides throwing hard punches, he’s also capable of using his head, elbows, everything in his desire to win. He, therefore, is a dangerous opponent contrary to what others are saying,” Roach added.

Pacquiao, who is scheduled to formally start training in Baguio City Wednesday, has earlier expressed his concerns about Bradley's fighting style. Although he did not categorically called Bradley a dirty fighter, Pacquiao says he is concerned about Bradley's reputation as a "dirty fighter" as reported in media.

“Timothy Bradley is undefeated, but I am concerned about the headbutts and I have to prepare for that,” Pacquiao told Boxing Scene.

“We have to study his fights to see what I’m going to do to keep away from that headbutt,” Pacquiao added.

Bradley has earned the reputation of being a "dirty fighter" because he usually uses his head to lean forward as he attacks the opponent.

But Joel Diaz, Bradley's trainer, said it is not true Bradley is doing it intentionally.

“Never in my years that I have trained Timothy, has he every mentioned using his head intentionally,” Diaz said.

Bradley bagged the Pacquiao fight after unbeaten Floyd Mayweather failed to come to terms with the Filipino boxing star for his scheduled May 5 fight in Las Vegas, Nev.