“That’s where the gate key is, right there…to Manny Pacquiao.” Words of Tim Bradley after winning 10 round technical decision over Devon Alexander. Personally, I had HBO’s quick-witted Larry Merchant ahead of both Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander in their heavily hyped but ultimately disappointing fight Saturday night in the domed disaster in Pontiac, Mich. Really, Merchant scored with his pecnhant for trenchant comments throughout the bout which was called before the tenth round could be completed when an “accidental headbutt” left Alexander in such pain that he could not continue. A quick check of the scorecards was no surprise with all three judges having the more aggressive and still unbeaten Californian in front, 97-93, 96-95 and one vote which matched mine, 98-93. Just when I was think what some suggested was an early qualifying match for entry into the Manny Pacquiao Big Fight Sweepstakes, Merchant cracked: “They just want to get into Manny Pacquiao’s movie.” (See Ricardo Lois’ unique angle on how Showtime/Strikforce and Nick Diaz-Cyborg “owned” Alexander-Bradley on the interent.) It would be ridiculous to say that it turned into a double elimination situation and that St. Louis resident Alexander, only 23, and the 27 year old Bradley BOTH knocked themselves from future consideration for a fight against either Pacman or Floyd Mayweather Jr. But I think that, due to Bradley’s habit of head butting and cutting foes by doing so and his lack of live gate drawing power, he’s unlikely to get a crack at the Pinoy Idol. Bradley, who is in super condition but less than a powerful puncher, must drive a Ram Charger the way he uses his head as a third weapon in the ring. If he keeps this up, the next venue for one of his fights might be the Billy Goat Tavern in downtown Chicago, the old “cheezborder, no Coke” place made famous on “Saturday Night Live” by John Belushi and his comedic sidekicks. From what we saw in a competitive and entertaining but not enthralling bout in the Silverdome about 25 miles from economically depressed Detroit, it’s hard to figure either of these 140 popunders getting a dance with “Money” or Pacquiao down the line. They both established themselves as HBO main event fighters but neither walks away a supersdtar despite the prime cable network’s ordaining it “The Super Fight” and giving it a buildup that was effective but excessive. Leads announcer Jim Lampley was typically honest saying it “was not an artistic masterpiece.” Merchat rang another bell of truth when he remarked there’s no compelling need for an immediate rematch. Either Bradley or Alexander is a suitable for Amir Khan or any other junior welterweight although Khan figures to beat them both. But the youngsteers won’t see their names hyphenated with Mayweather or Pacman on the other side of the puncutation mark. For Devon or Ti9m to get into the Pacquiao movie or the Mayweather saga, well at this point they would only fit in as extras. Oh, and before you go…one more Merchant bon mot. As to their hitting ability, Sir Lawrence of Santa Monica said: “Neither one can break a grape.” Like I said, Merchant hit his target more than the always willing but sometimes found wanting fighters. Butt of course, Larry, of course. ([email protected])
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