With the Pacquiao-Bradley pay-per-view approaching fast, here are five points of interest for fans to follow during the card:
The Hunger Games
Does Manny Pacquiao still have the drive and hunger to deal with a young, eager action fighter? The fans will know soon enough, but it’s hard for any fighter to keep the fire burning after they’ve achieved success beyond their wildest dreams. Manny Pacquiao has seen it all, done it all, and has fought earnestly fifty-nine times as a professional. Lately, though, the Filipino icon has not looked like an overwhelming force. Bouts against Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez showed a Pacquiao lacking in fire. Whether this has been a shortcoming from Pacquiao or as a result of the style match-ups is still up in the air. One thing is sure, though. Timothy Bradley has never shown himself to be anything but driven. Fans will see early enough whether the fire in Pacquiao’s belly is still there. If not, expect a tough time for the 8-division world champ.
The Best Defense
Neither of these fighters is a defensive genius, so the old axiom will be true for this bout– The best defense will be a good offense. Both fighters will come forward and immediately try to impose their will on the other. Whoever can execute their offense-minded game plan the best will win. Pacquiao will be looking to control the pace, keep Bradley off-balance, and strike with frenetic bursts of energy. Bradley will be looking to bully Pacquiao and push him back before picking him apart.
Head Games
Fans and followers of Bradley know that he has been accused of wielding his head like a third fist in the ring. Pacquiao has repeatedly shown a tendency to be distracted and deeply bothered by bloody cuts that obstruct his vision. Therefore, the headbutt will likely play out to be major factor in this contest. If a clash of heads does occur and Pacquiao winds up with a cut over either eye, the underdog will instantly convert into a favorite.
The Land Grab
Since moving up in weight, Pacquiao has been carefully matched against slow-footed fighters and/or those fighting on their last legs. This has afforded him the ability to slow down or speed up the pace of the fight according to his own whims. Usually, Manny can move in and move out whenever he chooses and, therefore, create convenient space between him and his foes. Against Bradley, however, he will not have that luxury. One of the keys to the fight will be based around who can move his opponent backwards and take control of the middle of the ring. If Bradley makes Pacquiao work for a full three minutes of each round in a battle of “king of the hill,” the later rounds should be extremely interesting.
The Bailey and Mr. Jones
The only competitive undercard bout features Mike Jones taking on former world titlist, Randall Bailey for the vacant IBF welterweight title. Many feel that the 29-year-old Jones is on his way to bigger things and, possibly, a showdown with Manny Pacquiao at some point. Bailey is 37-years-old, a long-time junior welterweight, and has a less-than-stellar won-loss record against top fighters. Still, Bailey has legitimate one-punch power and Jones has shown weaknesses in both concentration and technique. Jones-Bailey should be an excellent second tier contest and a true test for Jones.
