by Andrew Hall: With the big fight looming it is appropriate to take a look at the underdog to see what he needs to do in order to pull off the big upset. This type of thing is not easy to do since the vast majority of people feel Bradley has no chance. What they fail to realize, however, is that Bradley has never lost a professional fight. He also has great hand speed, an abundance of tenacity, and he has some pop when he sits down on his punches.
Manny Pacquiao may be in for a surprise when he squares off against Timothy Bradley in a few weeks from today. Bradley is a tough little scrapper and can take a great punch. He fought a puncher named Holt who put him with a bodacious left hook in the first round. Bradley got up and won the majority of there rounds thereafter. He was awarded the decision but some people feel Holt deserved it on the grounds of the first round knockdown and the knockdown in the last round. I felt Bradley won that fight and I also feel that he finds as tenaciously against Pacquio he may pull off the upset.
Timothy Bradley has this ability to throw punches with plenty of snap in very close positions. When it looks as though he is done punching he manages to throw something with venom at his opponents. He is a very tricky infighter and if he can catch Manny off guard perhaps he can land the coupe de grace. Anything is possible in boxing and I am one of those boxing fans that always roots for the underdog. I mean, what is there not to love about Timothy Bradley? This is a guy who grew up tough and even has the character to help raise children that are not of his own loins. The man is the very embodiment of “man” and I wouldn’t be too surprised if he out manned Manny Pacquiao.
The right cross is the main struggle for the southpaw when he gets in the ring with an orthodox opponent. If he can figure out where it is thrown and when he has a solid chance of eluding it all night and landing counter shots. The problem with Bradley is that he throws this punch from many different angles. He also throws it when you least expecting it. Manny Pacquaio has been knocked out twice and while Bradley seems to lack sufficient power his speed and timing may be enough to make up for that.
Another crucial factor in this fight is Bradley’s incessant need to punch to the body. This could prove fatal to the Filipiono Slugger since he has been downed by body shots. If Bradley can mount a good offensive to the midsection he may be able to hurt Pacquaio and maybe even stop him. At the very least, such an attack will take away his power en route to possibly winning a decision (hard to do against Pacquiao though).
I”m looking forward to this fight with great anticipation. I see a great struggle ensuing. My prediction is that it will be closer than most people think (in the same way that Miguel Cotto managed to keep things close with Mayweather). And if the boxing gods are on Bradleys side he may be able to pull off the upset and defeat Manny Pacquaio!