Bradley defends WBO title against Rios with new Atlas aid

“My game plan is to stay totally focused for 36 minutes of fighting,” Bradley stated. “Rios fights hard, is relentless, can endure pain and looks for one shot to hurt me.

“When Teddy came to camp, he took a book of images of certain rounds I had fought previously. There were notes about what I did right and what I did wrong. No trainer of mine has ever prepared for a fight like Teddy has for me against Rios.

“Rios can bring on the pressure all night, and we will deal with it. We are prepared for intense pressure. The only chance Rios has is a lucky punch, and that’s not going to happen.”

Rios ready for challenge

Although, 29-year-old Texan Rios is planning on spoiling the partnership debut of Atlas and Bradley at the Thomas and Mack Center, as he continues his revival from previous back-to-back defeat to Mike Alvarado and Pacquiao in 2013.

“I want to get back on top in boxing — Bradley is in my way,” Rios declared. “Bradley is going to be my ticket back to the top.

“We are ready for the best Tim Bradley, the one who beat Juan Manuel Marquez [in October 2013].

“We brought in three kinds of sparring partners – a boxer, a brawler and a boxer-brawler. I want to get back on top in boxing.

Former WBA lightweight champion Rios claims Bradley is simply a ticket back to his past glories, but he will face a daunting task against one of the world’s elite welterweights, whose only career defeat came to Pacquiao last year.

Meanwhile, Bradley, who is the odds-on 1/6 favourite for a Vegas victory, will hope to get off the best possible start under new trainer Atlas.

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Coral’s top tip: Timothy Bradley under the new guidance of Teddy Atlas could be a dominant force and he is the odds-on 1/6 favourite for victory.