Pacquiao vs Bradley: Timothy Bradley Says Manny "Not Spectacular"
by Waldo Rastel on Feb 10, 2012 12:34 AM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
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Timothy Bradley is very excited about his upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao on June 9th at the MGM Grand. Honestly, he should be extremely excited. Fighting in front of millions of fans on PPV is significantly different than fighting in front of a couple thousand at Agua Caliente. Bradley has been looking forward to this fight for a long time, which he recently told Lance Pugmire at The Los Angeles Times.
"This is about being the No. 1 fighter in the world, and that's what my goal has been for as long as I can remember. "I've been waiting for this my whole life."
Bradley does have a good bit of seasoning on him, even going into hostile territory to take the world title from Junior Witter. Witter is an extremely awkward fighter, and in his prime, it was difficult to look good against him.
Not only did Bradley look decent, but good enough to take the title away from him against a hostile crowd and probably some biased judging. "Desert Storm" has a solid mental game, much like the Super Middleweight and Super Six Champion Andre Ward, and I don't expect him to shy away from this huge challenge.
[ Related: Why You Should Care About Pacquiao vs Bradley ]
Bradley also sees some cracks in the armor of the great Manny Pacquiao.
"I just need to get in there and follow my game plan. I know his weaknesses, his favorite combinations. In my mind, I'm definitely going to win. I'll take it to this guy."
... "It wasn't so much that Marquez exposed Pacquiao, as much as he is not as spectacular. It's harder for Pacquiao to land his shots now, and you even saw that in the [May 2011] Shane Mosley fight. Look, Marquez had Pacquiao's number, and Marquez is 38 and past his prime. Here they were making excuses after [Pacquiao conditioning coach Alex] Ariza had said before Marquez that even God himself couldn't beat Pacquiao. I'm younger, stronger and faster than Marquez."
I think Bradley actually has a fairly good chance of winning this fight, probably around 30 to 40%. What do you guys think of Bradley's chances? Does he have a greater than 25% chance of winning this fight?
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80%. Nuff said…
"According to all the laws of aerodynamics the bumble-bee should not fly, but the bumble-bee does not know this and so flies anyway."
I think he has a good a chance as anyone else besides the “unmentionable.”
I wish that Bradley had at least one challenging fight before this one though. I was in this conversation a couple of months ago when discussing that Bradley is head over heels the number one Jr Welterweight.
He hasn’t had a real fight since Peterson in 2009, his only high level fighter, Alexander, he beat with an early stoppage, a fight which wasn’t really a test at all. In a perfect world he would have fought Berto, Matthysse or anyone decent in the jr welter/ welterweight division first rather than Cassamayor..
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Alexander and Witter were both considered No. 2 in the world when Bradley beat them.
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"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
by Scott Christ on Feb 10, 2012 1:51 AM EST up reply actions
Tough call...
I just watched the fight of Tim and Lamont Peterson in which Bradley has a tendency to leave himself open sometimes. Given that fight was 2 years ago. But I think his chances are in the 40-45% range.
So far Manny has proven that adjustments are very difficult for him to make in the ring, right now. I dunno, i think Manny will set the pace early, but Bradley has the tools to disrupt it. And hopefully the judges give Tim a lil more respect than they gave Marquez, then it could be a ‘good close clean fight.’
If this was Manny circa Cotto, I’d favor Manny by a mile, but now that he’s slowed down a bit I’m not sure. Bradley is not really a counter puncher or slick, but he’s certainly skilled and tough. It’s a tough fight to predict precisely. Bradley definitely has a good chance of winning. I can’t quite call it a toss up, but the outcome is far from certain.
This is as good an opponent Pacquaio could have faced
With the exception of course being Floyd and his nemesis, Marquez; the latter of whom will match him toe to toe every time.
Tim Bradley has a lot to prove in one night. But Manny, with his mileage and his multiple distractions, the most of which is now politics, is not nor cannot be expected to be the same as the dynamo that wiped out Cotto.
Or could he?
That will be the question when these two square off. IMO, a focused Pacquiao eats Bradley up and shuts up his remaining critics, haters, what have you. A less than 100% Pacquaio, either because of lack of focus (which I do not expect) or accumulated mileage and we have ourselves a real fight.
Bradley is not Shane Mosely (of the past three years). Nor is he JMM, whose knowledge of Manny in particular and boxing in general is extraordinary. He is a very very game and highly talented comer….with a capital C…as in Champion.
He has never lost and he will not come to lose. We may just have ourselves a real battle between two men of equal size; one with his future right in front of him, the other with a good part of his behind him.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Very interesting article
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Desert Sun’s about to become one of the world’s most important newspapers in my world. Go figure.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
by Scott Christ on Feb 10, 2012 5:19 AM EST up reply actions
Not only did Bradley look decent, but good enough to take the title away from him against a hostile crowd and probably some biased judging.
Could the author please elaborate?
I thought that Bradley clearly won the fight yet he only got a razor thin split decision. Take away what you will.
"The bell that tolls for all in boxing belongs to a cash register."
-Bob Verdi
by Waldo Rastel on Feb 10, 2012 7:04 AM EST up reply actions
I would agree. I had it 117-110 for Bradley, scoring it 9-3 in his favor. Scores came back 114-113, 115-113, and 112-115.
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
by Scott Christ on Feb 10, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I say 40%
I don’t think Manny has lost a step. What I see is poor matchmaking and some catchweight fights that did not challenge him enough. An athlete that great needs challenges to thrive and stay sharp. Looking at his last 8 fights, his only real challenges were Cotto & Marquez.
"The tempt for greatness is the biggest drug in the world."
—Mike Tyson
by honorablecbm on Feb 10, 2012 6:45 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
A lot of people, including me, think he lost to Marquez last time out, and both fimes before that.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Contradiction
His only catchweights were Cotto (145) and Margarito (150). Oscar was a welterweight fight fought at the maximum, dictated by Oscar.
No catch intended.
All Manny did was beat a string of bigger guys successively. If that’ snot enough for you…well go find me a modern boxer who has a mosr impressive resume
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
this fight can turn pretty ugly, but definetely bradley has a clear chance to box manny and win, i would say a 45%… but manny has a huge chance to win by robbery, cause we all know that bradley won’t win by KO…
by EL CIERTO (VEN) on Feb 10, 2012 8:23 AM EST reply actions
Bradley says Manny "Not spectacular"?
“Not spectacular” was exactly my thoughts on his fight vs Casamayor! Of course I guess you could say the same for Manny against Marquez. I do think he may have a shot as he’s younger, and pacman does seem to have lost some of his mojo recently. Maybe 40-50%?
Competitively, I'd say it's 50-50
and I’ve never been a supporter of Bradley. Every time I watch him, it just seems that there is a tiny piece missing and I’m not talking about power.
That said, Tim is a YOUNG fighter and I don’t think that can be stressed enough. Pac has been beating up old, damaged or worn fighters for a long time now. Here, he is in with someone fresh. I consider that a big deal.
And Pac isn’t going to be around too much longer himself. Perhaps his last two fights will be seen as “the beginning of the end” when we look back on his career in the future…
So in the ring, I give Tim a great shot. He’s good at filling in the gaps while his opponent tries to take his head off.
But unfortunately boxing isn’t all about what goes on under the lights. Pac’s influence in the sport gives him a big edge and that’s a fact.
by Lee Payton on Feb 10, 2012 11:39 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’ve got it 55-45 in favor of Manny right now. It might get dead even by the time the fight rolls around. Lee said about everything I’d say just above, and then some. We both feel that the fact that Bradley is young and fresh is every bit as important as Bradley is saying it is. It’s a big difference from the guys Manny has fought for years now. You could argue Clottey was in his prime, but other than that, who’s the last prime fighter Manny fought? JMM in 2008?
Bad Left Hook
"The internet has undermined professionalism in journalism, which is a good thing." - Bill James
You could argue Clottey was in his prime, but other than that, who’s the last prime fighter Manny fought? JMM in 2008?
I couldn’t agree more. Even if you were to say that Marquez may very well still be in his prime, look at what happened in their November clash. I think Manny will only win in the judges eyes.
Clottey for sure
Cotto one loss away. Marquez twice earlier. Hatton one loss out.
You can pick any fighter and few if any fight prime oponents in sucession. Few went from 138 and fought me at welterweight repeatedly and beat tehm convincingly.
Manny doesnt just beat them. He retires some of them.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Yeah, and even Clottey had been around awhile, having turned pro in 95.
Perhaps even more important than the age factor, Pac has been taking on guys he couldn’t miss. Tim isn’t the slickest guy around, but it’s not easy to land fight-changing shots on him either.
Young, confident, undefeated, ultra competitive, mentally tough, hard-working, no BS fighter…
And let’s not forget that Bradley was pretty much at the bottom of the wish list. I’m not convinced anyone on the Pac side wants to see Tim on the other side of the ring that night. Not saying they’re afraid, just that he’s not the kinda guy you wanna fight if you have a choice.
They arranged that fight
In recruiting Bradley as a solid opponent. It wa splanned for Pacquaio but it’s his fight to win or lose.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Being sold a load of crap and buying it in bulk.
I’m really not sold on this fight, nor with it’s possible upset factor. Timothy Bradley has no power and his skill is on good, not great. Let’s face it, this is just a one of those things that today’s “Top Fighters” do. They avoid the better fighters to pick up a sure win against some undefeated up-and-comer. Even if Bradley were to give Pacquiao a boxing lesson, he wouldn’t win. There is too much money on the line for a possible (but not likely) Manny-Mayweather fight. At this stage I have about as much respect for Manny as I do Floyd.
I wasn't sold either
Then I went and looked at Bradley’s fights AGAIN. He can handle Manny, just Try to forget about the Casamayor gab. He’s not technically sound like JMM or Floyd, but he is Manny’s best option right now. Tim has that reckless youth that will make for a good scrap.
"The tempt for greatness is the biggest drug in the world."
—Mike Tyson
by honorablecbm on Feb 10, 2012 4:48 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
i dont find Bradley to be anything spectacular except for the fact that he is a tough guy that has always found a way to win.. he is “just” a solid fighter/boxer
I am curious if the big stage will play a psychological challenge on Bradley. Granted, he is a seasoned vet but the big lights and big opportunity HAS to be on his mind.
I also think that Pacquiao, especially after his last two fights, will want to come out strong – he knows he hasnt looked spectacular and I would think/HOPE that he comes to camp with some sort of fire. if he is truly about giving the people what they want – he will be focused during camp.
If we can see a resurgance, a focused Pac is a dangerous Pac.
I give Bradley an excellent chance against this version of Pacquiao. While I’ve never been impressed by Bradley, this kind of reminds me of Pacquiao-Barrera, 2003, where you had a hungry, talented but flawed, relatively unknown young fighter against a proven, pound-for-pound great. We all know what happened there. Youth and fire carried the day. I really do feel that Pacquiao’s all but lost that fire. He’s starting to bear the look of a weary champion. He doesn’t love the game the way he used to. I think if he doesn’t hurt Tim early, it’ll be a long night. I think Pacquiao just might fade, and Bradley just might dominate enough in the latter half to win a decision. Right now, honestly, 50-50.
We will see what Manny brings to the table. if he’s Manny of the last years, he wins easily. If he’s anything less, we might have the passing of the torch.
Bradley is the bigger man….by his own desciption.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Indeed, we’ll see what this “reformed” Pacquiao has to offer. Stories coming from mostly Filipino sources tell of a man who’s given up his vices. Whether that translates to him being more focused, I’m waiting to see (we’ll see if there’s a script change in 24/7). I also hope to see a less arrogant camp this time around. No more stupid predictions…
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