Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather continue to dance, prance and talk around each other so fans will be treated to another bonafide megafight when Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley meet June 6th in Vegas. The Pac-Man, 33, has been instilled as a 3-1 favorite over the bigger and younger #1 contender Bradley, 28, but the Filipino icon hasn’t been at his pound-4-pound best the last few times out the gate. Bradley, 28-0, 12 KO’s, is a rugged customer that has thirsted for big money and wants more but can he seize the moment against the supremely gifted Pacquiao, 54-3-2, 38 KO’s? Below is a closer look at the skills broken down from a pro handicappers perspective.
The Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley Line in Vegas is Manny Pacquiao -340 Timothy Bradley +280
Timothy Bradley: Timothy Bradley is a pressure fighter that can also box, slug, counter or fight dirty in the trenches. Bradley is the epitome of a gym rat and his physical strengthreflects those long hours in the sweatshop and on the road. Bradley goes to the body with conviction and sets up those two-fisted attacks with a stiff jab. Tim is a stronger puncher than given credit for, launching huge powershots in combination but he is not a one-punch KO artist. Defensively, Bradley can bob and weave, slip and counterpunch effectively with his gloves held high. Bradley is short and can get wild at times, causing him to eat big leather. Bradley’s punch resistance is high but the leverage that fighters are able to create against his lack of height make Bradley susceptible to hard knockdowns. Bradley’s punch volume is high and his heart is as big as his native California.
Manny Pacquiao: While Freddie Roach has refined Pacquiao’s game the southpaw is still the same whirlwind darter he has always been with electric speed. Pacquiao has one of the best 1-1-2 combos in the land and the affects of those punches are usually men blinking through concussions. Pacquiao’s the perfect example of offense creating defense with his ability to throw accurate combinations from punishing angles all night long. Pacquiao’s amazing footspeed gives him the ability to control fighters with lesser quickness, positioning him to land with tremendous power. Pacquiao’s defense is also his footspeed as he darts in and out but he does eat more leather than a pound-4-pound type should. Pacquiao’s chin has been tested many times over and has yet to fail him as a welterweight but he does take eye opening bombs at times that make you wonder. Pacquiao is a more cerebral fighter than given credit for with his ability to make adjustments but he can be outboxed in spots by elite counterpunchers.
8 Count Manny Pacquiao vs Tim Bradley Preview 1-10 Handicapping Scale
Pacquiao/Bradley
Power: 9/7
Speed: 9/8
Stamina: 10/10
Defense: 8/8
Chin/Body: 9/8
Agilty/Footwork: 9/8
Jab/Reach: 7/8
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 8/8
Intelligence/Focus: 9/8
Size/Physicality: 5/6
Overall Handicapping Edge: Manny Pacquiao +4 Handicapping Edge
Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley Preview Line: Manny Pacquiao -250 Moneyline
Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley Preview Vegas Line: Manny Pacquiao -340 Moneyline
