Styles make good or bad fights.
Ever wondered why the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez trilogy has not settled the question of who between them is the better fighter?
Have you asked yourself why the fights in the heavyweight division now are considered good antidotes to insomnia?
Now, have you realized why the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales Trilogy, the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz and the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fights remain imprinted in our minds?
Styles make fights, that?s why.
The Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight which unfolds by the time this column hits the streets and the Internet web will be an example of the styles of two fighters who in my belief will make a very good and exciting fight.
I am not suggesting that Bradley will be a threat to Pacquiao when they battle for the Filipino boxing icon?s title in Las Vegas today.
In fact, I believe that Bradley will not last beyond six rounds in this fight against Pacquiao.
But Bradley?s fighting style will make this fight very exciting.
The undefeated American fighter is expected to take the fight to the Filipino champion and he will initiate the action starting Round 1.
In the mind of Bradley, the only chance he has of winning against Pacquiao is to probe the durability of Pacquiao and discover his vulnerability.
He will go to the midsection of Pacquiao relying on old information that the Filipino champion is weak in the body.
Bradley will also pressure Pacquiao hoping that the Filipino boxing icon, at age 33, will wither under his relentless attack and he will tire out as the fight goes the distance.
With these scenarios, Pacquiao will display his old form.
Pacquiao likes to be engaged in the ring, especially if he knows he could carry his opponent?s punches.
Remember how he engaged the bigger Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto? Or how he toyed with the huge Joshua Clottey?
Once Timothy Bradley takes the fight to Manny Pacquiao, this fight scheduled for 12 rounds will certainly end in a knockout and the victim will certainly be Bradley.
This fight will be fast and furious. Expect blood and knockdowns.
But while Bradley does not have the slimmest chance of scoring an upset, he will be remembered in history as the fighter who brought out the best in Manny Pacquiao, even this late in the Filipino boxing icon?s stellar career.
Bradley will be just that: a footnote in Manny Pacquiao?s storied life.
