Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) will defend his WBO Welterweight title against the current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (28-0-1 NC, 12 KOs).
Pacquiao vs Bradley will be presented by Top Rank, Inc. and aired on HBO PPV on local cable and satellite distribution. The start time is 9PM EST/6PM PST/ 2AM U.K.
The last time these two warriors fought was on November 12th, 2011, with respective opponents Juan Manuel Marquez and Joel Casamayor. Although both men came away with a victory, the Pac-man received much scrutiny for having problems against the all time great Mexican fighter.
So Manny Pacquiao will enter the squared circle with much to prove to the thousands who believe the Filipino Congressman has lost a step and is past his prime. Because of styles or foot cramping, Pacquiao has not shown the kind of footwork and lateral movement in his previous two outings that we’ve come to expect from the Pac-man.
At 33 years of age, is Manny still capable of putting on the kind of breathtaking performance of old, or will he show the same vulnerabilities tonight which were on display against a very strong Juan Manuel Marquez?
Pictured: Official Pacquiao vs Bradley fight poster
Timothy Bradley is coming into this fight with a huge chip on his shoulder and something to prove to the world of boxing. Although an undefeated champion, “Desert Storm” is looking to make a statement at the expense of the Pac-monster which would catapult his career to super stardom and the top of the universally recognized pound for pound list.
Although strong and very fast, most of Tim’s detractors believe that he currently doesn’t possess the experience or skill-set to defeat a fighter on the level of Manny Pacquiao. Supremely confident and superbly conditioned, Timothy Bradley will attempt to hand Pacquiao his first loss in over seven years and become the next big star of boxing at the MGM Grand tonight!!
In anticipation of one of the biggest boxing events of 2012, let’s look at the “Tale of the Tape”!!
Pacquiao vs Bradley Tale of the Tape
Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) Born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines, this 5’6 ? ” southpaw fighter has a 67″ reach with dynamite in both fists. Since turning pro in 1995, the 33 year old Filipino phenom has remarkably improved his skill and technique under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning expert Alex Ariza to become the biggest global star in boxing.
Manny has tremendous coordination and speed, which is paired with tremendous power in both fist. His greatest improvement since aligning himself with soon to be Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has been in the area of footwork and upper body movement. His ability to slip in and out of an opponent’s defense while throwing punches has been amazing to watch during his rise to super stardom. Manny Pacquiao has also shown the ability to act as the relentless aggressor or use the entire ring and box effectively, while turning his opponents and fighting them at angles.
While the Pac-man’s footwork has served as the foundation for his defense and offense since defeating Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, he has appeared to become more sedentary over the course of his previous two outings; against Sugar Shane Mosley in May of 2011 and Juan Manuel Marquez in November of 2011.
Which version of Manny Pacquiao will we see against a very dangerous and confident fighter like Timothy Bradley? Will we see the version of the Pac-man who was able to use brilliant lateral movement in staying off the ropes against Ricky Hatton in May of 2009, or will we see the aging Pacquiao who had trouble staying out of harm’s way against his nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in 2011?
The answer will decide the outcome of Pacquiao vs Bradley. If Manny is capable of moving side to side and in and out of Tim’s defense while staying off the ropes like he displayed against Antonio Margarito in November of 2010, he will have a very good chance of disposing Bradley within the distance.
But if Pacquiao shows the same movement deficiencies presented during his previous two outings, he could be in for a very long evening against a very fleet-footed Timothy Bradley.
Pictured: Pacquiao Vs. Bradley: Weigh-In Staredown Courtesy of Chris Farina, Top Rank
Pacquiao’s footwork sets up his entire arsenal of punches which has improved as well under the tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach. The development of his right hand lead jab, hook, and uppercut has transformed the once one-handed fighter into a complete wrecking machine.
With the ability to move in and out of an opposing fighter’s defense, Manny can launch an attack from very odd angles and crack an opponent with either hand when his opponent doesn’t expect to be hit. After firing off combinations, Pacquiao has shown the ability to turn his opponents, leaving them at odd angles and out of range for an effective counter.
But his offense and defense both suffers if he is not able to slide in and out while moving laterally, as shown in his third bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny Pacquiao’s footwork will decide the result of this contest.
Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) ? The Cathedral City, CA, born boxer/puncher fights out of an orthodox stance and stands 5’6″ tall with a 69″ reach. The undefeated junior welterweight champion has only campaigned once before in the 147 pound weight division and was successful in defeating the formerly undefeated Luis Carlos Abregu in a twelve round decision.
For Pacquiao vs Bradley tonight, the 28 year old pugilist will not only be fighting in the welterweight division, he will be facing the pound for pound best fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao.
Although Tim has signature wins over former champions Junior Witter, Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Devon Alexander, and current IBF and WBA Jr. Welterweight Champ Lamont Peterson, he will be taking on his toughest test to date in the Filipino icon. While Bradley usually adopts the role of the fearless aggressor, Bradley has shown chameleon-like boxing abilities by using the ring effectively while taking the lead sporadically throughout the bout as well.
Despite not boasting a tremendous knock-out ratio in his 28 professional bouts, Tim is always in superb condition and is a very strong individual mentally and physically. His greatest attributes are his mental and physical durability as well as his ring intelligence.
Bradley is a very smart fighter and has shown the ability to make effective adjustments throughout the contest to offset his opponent’s strengths. His footwork and handspeed are very underrated and are the reasons for his versatility in the squared circle. His knack for cutting off the ring effectively and closing the distance in a short amount of time makes him a very skilled aggressor.
He uses a touch jab to set up the straight right hand and launches it with speed and precision. Once he closes the gap and fights his opponents at close range, Bradley likes to throw in combination to the body and head while using both hands. He doesn’t load up on any one punch which is why he doesn’t have more knock-outs on his record, but he is a very strong physical fighter and likes to muscle most of his opponents on the inside. Tim usually applies intelligent pressure setting up his attacks at angles while using various distances. He is a very relaxed fighter who has shown the ability to work through adversity while sticking to his fight plan. Bradley’s confidence, determination, and conditioning should serve him well in this fight and should enable him to take Pacquiao’s best shots.
Pacquiao vs Bradley Keys to Victory
For Manny Pacquiao to win this fight, he will have to use his feet and continue moving from side to side while flowing in and out of Bradley’s defense. He absolutely must stay off the ropes and keep the fight in the center of the ring.
Bradley will more than likely be the aggressor to begin the contest and try to set up the straight right hand down the middle of Manny’s ear-muff style defense. While Tim is trying to set up the big right hand, he will use his touch jab and paw at Pac-man from mid to long range. Pacquiao must set traps for Bradley and catch him while he’s coming in with the right hook or right uppercut, straight left hand combination.
Manny must take advantage of the times when Bradley paws with the left jab and leaves himself open for the right hook or right uppercut counter.
Pictured: Manny Pacquiao, right, unleashes a right jab on Juan Manuel Marquez in Pacquiao vs Marquez III in November 2011 Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank
Bradley is a notoriously slow starter. If Pacquiao can set up his right hooks to the body and head by setting traps and moving laterally at angles, he can hurt Bradley early and set up his lethal straight left hand down the center of Bradley’s defense.
If he can establish his power early while using his lateral movement to stay off the ropes and out of harm’s way, Manny Pacquiao could possibly stop “Desert Storm” within the distance and re-establish himself as the best pound for pound fighter in the world. For Timothy Bradley to be successful against Manny Pacquiao, he absolutely must be able to cut off the ring effectively and close the distance without walking into a short compact right hook or a straight left hand.
He can only do this by applying intelligent pressure while working at angles and closing the distance very quickly. Bradley must be able to close the gap on Manny and move from long to short range instantaneously behind the lead right hand. While he’s on the inside, Bradley must throw hooks to the body to slow down the fleet footed Pac-man and continue to place pressure for all three minutes of every round.
Pictured: Timothy Bradley, left, scores an 8th round TKO over Joel Casamayor in November 2011 on the Pacquiao vs Marquez III undercard Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank
He wants to keep Manny on the ropes as long as possible and turn the fight into a physical battle on the inside. This is where Manny is most vulnerable. He absolutely must throw short combinations while on the inside and cannot throw wide looping hooks while moving in.
If he can keep consistent pressure on Manny while working effectively on the inside, busting up the Pac-man to the body, Timothy Bradley can hand Manny Pacquiao his first loss since 2005.
Pacquiao vs Bradley Fight Prediction
Like I stated earlier in this analysis, the fight’s outcome will depend on whether or not Manny can still move fluidly in and out of Bradley’s defense while turning him at angles. If Pacquiao is unable to move freely about the ring while staying off of the ropes, he will get beaten by the naturally stronger fighter.
Also, if Manny Pacquiao is able to use effective lateral movement, allowing him to set traps for Bradley while Tim is coming inside, Manny can be the first person to defeat Timothy Bradley and possibly stop him within the distance.
I see Bradley trying to apply intelligent pressure from the outset while setting up the straight right hand behind the sporadic feint, touch jab, and stiff left hand. I envision Manny landing a short right hook while Bradley is coming in during the opening round and hurting him in the final minute of the first stanza.
Pictured: Manny Pacquiao gets mitts work from trainer Freddie Roach Photo: Chris Farina / Top Rank
Because Tim is a very well conditioned fighter, I see him surviving the initial onslaught and resorting to boxing more with the occasional offensive assault in rounds 2 through 5. While having mild success using the entire ring within those early to mid rounds, Bradley will get caught with the right hook, straight left hand and hit the canvas.
This time, Bradley will not be able to recover and will be stopped in the sixth round of the scheduled twelve round championship bout.
Manny Pacquiao will win tonight by TKO 6 and retain his WBO Welterweight title.
