Summary "Fighters don't sleep before fights. I don't sleep that much either," Atlas said
LAS VEGAS (AFP) - Teddy Atlas is having sleepless nights as he prepares his "son" Tim Bradley to face the explosive punching power of Manny Pacquiao.
Atlas, who had forged a successful career as an analyst for ESPN, was coaxed back into training by Bradley last year, working his corner for the 32-year-old s successful WBO welterweight title defense against Brandon Rios.
The 59-year-old Atlas said he had not anticipated returning to training following his acrimonious split with Russian heavyweight Alexander Povetkin in the early months of 2012.
However a chance meeting with Bradley on a radio show last year brought the two men together and they are now plotting to spoil Pacquiao s farewell at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here Saturday.
"Fighters don t sleep before fights. I don t sleep that much either," Atlas said.
"You d be outta your mind if you were getting a good night s sleep. You wouldn t be aware of what the heck was in front of you."
Atlas recalled words from his mentor, the late Cus D Amato, the legendary trainer who discovered and nurtured a young Mike Tyson.
"Cus used to say anyone who isn t afraid is either a liar or they need to get a good doctor and find out what the heck is wrong with them -- because something s missing," said Atlas, who famously split with D Amato after a violent altercation with Tyson involving a loaded revolver.
Atlas describes Pacquiao as a "freak", saying that planning a strategy to combat the range of weapons in the Filipino s arsenal keeps him awake at night.
"The combination of speed and power that Manny has is uncommon. When you re competing against someone like Manny you see the obvious -- the explosion of ability, the straight left hand, the right hook, the quickness, the surges, the hurricane of punches that come at you," Atlas explained.
"But you don t see what comes before the storm. I don t do much but I hope I can help my fighters see what comes before the storm. That s what keeps me up at night."
Atlas, a father to two grown up children, says that training Bradley has been like rediscovering parenthood and the anxieties that can bring.
"I didn t want to be a parent again at this age. I got two beautiful kids," Atlas said.
"I never pictured myself worrying about a 32-year-old son who is now doing things that can be risky.
"So I have to guide him, and make sure that he gets through it OK, and see that he gets home alright."
Atlas has forged a close bond with Bradley since the California-based fighter asked him to train him last year.
Atlas was initially apprehensive, questioning whether he still had the passion for the trade.
"So I went out to Palm Springs to spend a couple of days with Timmy. And I saw him as a father of five children, I saw him as a husband, and I saw a person that I liked and that I felt good to be around," Atlas said.
"And I went to the gym with him and he was excited and enthused and he couldn t wait to learn things. I showed him some things.
"And he said I think you should still be teaching in this business. I need you .
"And when he said I need you I think it spoke to the most basic part of myself. It awakened something. And I was actually happy in the gym again."
