INDIO, California – Jack Demsey, noted “the Manassa Mauler” and one of the greatest fighters in 1920s, explained his loss of the heavyweight title to his wife by saying, “Honey, I just forgot to duck.” His wife, former movie star Estelle Taylor, consoled him after Demsey lost a 10-round decision to Gene Tunney in 1926, according to Kevin Hillstrom, one of the great sportswriters of our time.
Kevin says “Demsey had been a 5-2 favorite going into the match, but Tunney surprised him with a hard right in the first round and controlled the fight from that point forward.”
Conversely, for undefeated light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, who is challenging Manny Pacquiao for the WBO Welterweight title, he would not contemplate to duck during the fight. Instead, Bradley expects Pacquiao to come in the ring in his best form and condition.
In fact, “I am expecting Pacquiao to try to take me out in the early rounds,” says Bradley with a suspicious smile.
But, like what Tunney showed upon Demsey, Bradley says, “I am looking forward to deliver a punch that will change the complexity of the fight, to my favor, in the early rounds and onward.”
Bradley, who now appears much lighter than the 165-pounder this Examiner met a few weeks ago, believes he is comfortable in 147-pound weight class and even feels stronger.
“I am way bigger than Pacquiao who had been fighting in 147 pounds for two years now,” says Bradley.
Bradley rather insists he will isolate Pacquiao with his handspeed and agility and good defense. He said he has watched tapes of Pacquiao’s last five fights (with Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez) and says he knows how to disrupt Pacquiao’s rythym. And mostly specifically. Bradley says he’s studying closely all three fights of Pacquiao versus Marquez.
“Pacquiao is pretty quick,” says Bradley. “But, I am pretty quick myself, too. I know he’s slighlty a little bit quicker that I am. I know he places his shots very place. He’s pretty accurate with his punches.”
Even then, Bradley insists he will bring in many insurmountable surprises upon Pacquiao come fight night.
“Let’s see come on June, I will be the best fighter in the world. And I truly believe there will be a new face in boxing,” says Bradley during a light interview with Examiner.
“And that’s me!”
