The Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley fight is fast approaching, and it’s now just two months out. Pacquiao enters the contest as the very large favorite, however, what else is there to know about the match and how it may end up playing out? Take a look at the top 10 important questions to ask about Pacquiao vs. Bradley.
Is Bradley Ready?
Whether he is really up for this level of opponent is yet to be determined. But in terms of his development, Bradley is as ready as he will ever be. At 28, he has been engaging in world title bouts for four years and has fully matured. It would be nice to have seen him notch a win in a really tough fight to bridge the gap to the mega-fight he will be fighting in June, but now seems as good a time as any to take the leap.
Has Bradley Flattened Out?
It’s a double-edged sword. Bradley took a lot of heat over the past year, first by appearing to eschew a matchup with Amir Khan and then by going on the shelf for a long stretch of inactivity. But while he might have suffered some PR backlash, it is that very career strategy that enabled him to book this fight, which will be by far his biggest payday. At the same time, there is a concern that he’s not flying as highly as he was in 2009, when he clearly established himself as one of the sport’s top young fighters.
Will the Age Gap Play a Role?
While Pacquiao is only 33 and Bradley is 28, the difference in ring age is much more substantial, and the fact that Pacquiao’s recent ledger includes fighters who are all over 30 also raises some concerns. Sometimes, things that work against older fighters don’t fly as well against the young. You can look great against older fighters whose best days are behind them, only to be shocked back into reality when facing a hungry fighter with his best fighting ahead of him.
And with nearly 60 fights and a world-championship pedigree that is nearly 14 years old, how much longer can Pacquiao keep going at this clip? As they say, fighters lose their edge like how they lose their virginity–all at once. There is not always a series of identifiable warning signs. When it happens, it’s always an upset and it’s usually to a youngish fighter. If Pacquiao is still in his prime, however, Bradley could be in store for a tough evening.
Is Pacquiao Still Hungry?
You have to start wondering what keeps a fighter like Pacquiao hungry. He has amassed wealth, fame, and has become the top celebrity in his native Philippines. At some point, one would tend to call the hunger level of such a fighter into question. But Pacquiao’s edge seems to stem from having the weight of a country’s hopes on his shoulder, a gigantic group of friends and family who depend on him, and a desire to create one of the strongest legacies in the history of the sport. While he has more distractions nowadays and his mind can wander, he’s still surprisingly hungry for a fighter who has been at the top for so long.
Was The Marquez Fight a Bad Sign?
No, it really wasn’t. Styles make fights. Seems simple enough. You’ve heard it before. But that didn’t stop oddsmakers from making Pacquiao a ridiculous -800 favorite for the third Marquez bout. Expectations were obviously far too high, considering their two close previous encounters. There were some new details in Part III that rightfully contributed to heightened expectations–the fact that only Pacquiao had shown he can fight well at the weight, Marquez’ advanced age , and his recent struggles in fights. But basically, it was another close fight between guys where you have little reason to think it would be otherwise.
Is This a Bad or Good Matchup for Pacquiao?
Both. Bradley has some things going for him that Pacquiao’s recent foes can’t claim. He has yet to taste the glory that accompanies being a great champion. He’s young. He’s a great fighter on the inside. He has very fast feet, which will allow him to get in position much more quickly than some of Pacquiao’s more recent foes. In addition, Bradley has all of the accompanying benefits of being young and undefeated. In boxing, one of the hardest things to do is beat a good undefeated fighter.
But Pacquiao looks to have some edges based on Bradley’s stature and style. First of all, Bradley is aggressive and Pacquiao typically does well against fighters who come to him. In fact, Pacquiao might be able to play the role of boxer more easily against an opponent who is even shorter than he is–a luxury he hasn’t enjoyed in quite some time. Bradley figures to give Pacquiao a lot of opportunities to showcase his sizzling offense.
What Skills or Attributes Does Bradley Have That Could Trouble Pacquiao?
He has shown the ability to handle southpaws. His great feet make him an intense inside force. If he can cut off Pacquiao’s escape routes, he could conceivably outwork the favorite. If Manny uses more of an ambush-style of fighting, he could find that he has trouble keeping Bradley off of him. And while an aggressive fighter, Bradley’s defense is actually pretty good. He has the ability to cut the ring off and launch quick punches that are hard to defend.
How Will Politics Play a Role?
Bob Arum promotes both fighters, so why would he meddle? Not to imply that he sits there controlling all the results of big Vegas fights, but I’m sure either result would please him. Sure, he wants to see the biggest cash-cow in the sport continue his winning ways, but even if Pacquiao lost, he would then promote the newest big thing in the sport in Bradley.
In Vegas, it can be difficult to beat fighters who can single-handedly pump tons of life into the sagging economy of the whole city. Even as a judge, it can play a subconscious role–where an arbiter is reluctant to vote against a guy who puts food in the mouths of so many people and buoys an entire city. Established superstars are just typically a little more difficult to beat in the City of Sin.
What Are Some Overlooked Elements of This Fight?
- Bradley’s Inactivity: When you’re an established superstar champion, it’s understood that your ring activity will not be what it once was. But Bradley, still a developing champion trying to forge an identity, should have probably been busier coming into this bout. By the time he meets Pacquiao in the ring on June 9, he will have fought a mere 3 fights in the preceding 31 months.
- Bradley’s Power and Chin: While some have compared him to Marvin Hagler, his chin and power are hardly close to the Marvelous one. One would like his infighting ability, footwork, and style a bit more in this spot if his power were more authoritative. He’s got a lot going for him, but against someone like Pacquiao, his lack of power will cost him. Not that he couldn’t conceivably punish Pacquiao, but a Pacquiao facing an aggressive fighter who can’t punch will be that much tougher to beat. And while I wouldn’t call Bradley’s chin suspect, watching him touch down against Kendall Holt makes one wonder how he will stand up against the punches of Pacquiao.
- Pacquiao’s Power: We remember what happened the last time Pacquiao fought a junior welterweight champion, when he decimated Ricky Hatton. I wouldn’t expect that type of outcome, but after fighting big fighters and a technically very good one (Marquez), his power figures to play a more prominent role in this fight.
What is The Smart Bet on This Fight?
—-> Check out the Pacquiao vs. Bradley betting odds
The worst type of boxing wager is to bet on guys like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Seems like a strange remark since they almost always win, but the goal of any astute bettor is to find good value. And the last place you’re going to find good value is betting on established superstars in their mid-thirties. The funny thing is that by the time a guy has enough of a track record to be a -800 favorite against another champion fighter, his window of success might actually be closing.
I like the “under” in this fight. I don’t see it going 12 rounds and the “under” allows you to have both sides of the action in the case of an upset. But I would also bet on Manny Pacquiao to win by knockout. Stylistically, Bradley is going to at some point make Pacquiao adopt a very urgent mindset, which will lead to one of the more exciting Pacquiao fights in the past several years.
