Pacquiao camp downplays Bradley’s plan to target shoulder

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao’s recently injured right shoulder is obviously a potential target for Timothy Bradley when they lock horns next week.

Bradley himself previously bared his plan to go for Pacquiao’s shoulder if the oppurtunity presents itself at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9 (April 10 in Manila).

The Filipino icon’s camp, however, has warned Bradley that it would be a mistake to do so.

“Good luck trying to hit it (Pacquiao’s right shoulder),” Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune told Philstar.com/The STAR at the Wild Card Gym  on Thursday as Pacquiao worked out in the background.

Fortune assured that Pacquiao won’t expose himself to Bradley by capitalizing on his speed.

“The guy's too fast, he (Bradley) knows that,” Fortune continued. And he concentrates on just the shoulder? He's gonna leave himself open for the other stuff. It's not a very smart tactic.”

Pacquiao has successfully undergone surgery to treat the torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, an injury he sustained while training for Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year.

There were reports that Mayweather knew of Pacquiao’s injury beforehand, constantly targetting it during their megabuck showdown.

It’s possible that Bradley will follow Mayweather’s blueprint.

But Freddie Roach, for his part, said it would be pointless.

“Well,  it doesn't matter if he (Bradley) does (target Pacquiao’s shouder). The shoulder's completely healed,” said Roach.