Bradley?s neurological issues after the fight with Provoknikov may be a factor in this bout. The same may be true of Marquez?s age?
Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a fight broadcast live on HBO pay-per-view, undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) defends his title against Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) in a much anticipated pick ?em fight. Bradley?s neurological issues after the fight with Provoknikov may be a factor in this bout. The same may be true of Marquez?s age. But both fighters bring a lot to the table. Bradley is busy. He is also tough, maybe too tough for his own good. And Marquez, as he proved by icing Manny Pacquiao, is as precise a sharpshooter as anyone in the game today. This is what the Boxing.com writers expect to see when Bradley squares off with Marquez.
Adam Berlin: ?The way I?ve scored his fights, Juan Manuel Marquez has lost just once in eight years. His two other official losses, questionable at best, were erased when Marquez knocked Manny Pacquiao cold. The only man to actually beat Marquez was FMJ; in that fight, size was as much a deciding factor as skill. As for the undefeated Bradley, I didn?t think his win over Pacquiao was a blatant crime (I had the fight a draw). But Bradley has had some shaky moments in his career courtesy of a less-than-granite jaw. Both men are worthy champions. Both men are highly skilled boxers. But one man is truly great. JMM will figure out Bradley?s busy-ness, start timing counterpunches, and for this bout Bradley?s heart will not be strong enough to overcome jelly legs. I actually worry about Bradley in this fight. He was badly hurt against Provodnikov and I don?t believe he has fully recovered?physically or mentally. Juan Manuel Marquez will knock Timothy Bradley out, probably early, probably brutally. I hope the ref keeps a very close eye on this one.?
Teron Briggs: ?I?m picking Bradley to win a rather wide decision. I think youth will be served here as the younger man will simply outwork and outfight the legend. Marquez will have his moments as he still remains an accurate counterpuncher but I don?t believe he will be able to hurt Bradley or limit his offense.?
Jay Bulger: ?I don?t see Marquez?s age being as much a factor as people would like to think. Given the current state of ?training? technology, 40 is the new 30. Don?t be surprised if Marquez looks even more youthful in this fight than he did against Pacquiao, or when he was 30, for that matter. Bradley can?t rough Marquez up. Bradley can?t beat him technically. Bradley?s fight against Ruslan Provodnikov seemed to prove that his skills have diminished. For the sake of a more balanced fight, here?s to hoping that Bradley will also enter the ring having gone through puberty a second time. Bradley receives his first loss to Marquez by a close decision.?
Mike Casey: ?My fellow scribe Mike Schmidt wrote a good article on this one just recently, in which I ventured my opinion that Marquez would win. Nothing I?ve heard since has prompted me to change tack on this one. Juan?knowing Juan?will probably have the upper body weight of a cruiserweight by the time of the opening bell. But that?s cool because everything else is cool these days. Tim lost that decision to Pac and has been a man on a mission ever since in his attempt to prove himself. He took more punishment than necessary in the fight against Provdnikov and is likely to engage at some point with Marquez. That will be the end for Tim around the seventh or eighth round.?
Jill Diamond Chastain: ?I?m calling it tight with Bradley edging Marquez out.?
Slee Christopher: ?This is a pretty fascinating matchup that begs a few questions: First, at 40 years old, is Juan Manuel Marquez Pac-Man kryptonite or is he the third best fighter on the planet? In all seriousness, outside of Pac he hasn?t fought another top-flight guy since Floyd in 2009 (Baby Bull Diaz and Michael Katsidis simply do not qualify). Second, what does Timothy Bradley look like after fighting 10 rounds with a concussion against hard charging Ruslan Provodnikov in March? In the end I think Marquez probably is a top three guy and I think Bradley?s heart will be part of his demise. I see Bradley eventually succumbing to a firefight after Marquez lands some flush counters. When the action heats up, I expect Marquez to have the upper hand and, unlike Ruslan, have the experience and savvy to close the show. Marquez by late stoppage.?
Clarence George: ?Marquez, a superb counterpuncher, is praying that Bradley will fight him the way he fought Provodnikov. Should Bradley answer that prayer, Marquez will knock him out by the fourth or fifth round. But my guess is that Provodnikov was a lesson well and truly learned, and that Bradley will be anything but accommodating. Rather, he?ll play Leonard to Marquez?s Duran, and the Mexican will find himself as frustrated as had been the Panamanian. When all is said and done, however, Marquez will prove to be active and aggressive enough to eke out a win by close unanimous or split decision.?
Christian Giudice: ?A part of me is still trying to make sense of that punch Marquez landed on Pacquiao. It?s hard to believe that this is the ?new? Marquez at age 40 and he can maintain that type of power, even if he is fighting a guy like Bradley who can?t avoid a war. I think that was Marquez?s last great moment, and Bradley will use his speed, energy, and movement to outbox Marquez and earn a clear-cut decision.?
Ben Hoskin: ?Bradley-Marquez is a tough call. Eighteen months ago, Bradley would be a prohibitive favorite, today?s iteration not so. His brutal last fight convinced all that he could get in the trenches as well as showcasing his skilled repertoire. This courageous display may be his undoing as the damage he sustained can shorten a fighter?s career. Not much can be said about the storied Marquez that hasn?t already been put in written form. A nailed on future hall of famer but how much gas is left for the Mexican veteran? Marquez has often struggled against quick handed opponents such as Mayweather and Pacquiao, though Bradley?s lack of concussive punch power will enable Marquez to take risks. In the lighter weight classes Marquez?s age is a huge factor. There are only so many times he can draw from the well. Constant movement and punches in bunches will take its toll and I envisage Bradley winning a clear points decision. The elephant in the room however is what physical condition will Bradley arrive in after his hard earned last payday??
Michael Klimes: ?It seems everyone is hyped up about the fight between Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley which is understandable. There are a number of ingredients which should make this fight exciting. Both fighters are versatile and can do a bit of everything including take a punch which makes this encounter compelling. Bradley has the advantage of youth and has enough boxing ability, speed, experience and discipline to give Marquez awkward moments. However, Marquez is a masterful counter-puncher and has matured into a devastating boxer-puncher. Marquez is one of the best boxers of his generation and also of the last decade. He is old and has been in many wars yet still has tremendous reflexes and great intelligence. I think Marquez?s intelligence will be the defining advantage in this fight. In a war he will knock Bradley out and if Bradley tries to outbox Marquez he has the ability to use pressure with intelligence to catch and trap Bradley. I predict a Marquez knockout in the round eight or nine. Look for the Marquez uppercut. Bradley will land punches and have his moments but Marquez should find a way to prevail. There will be some exciting exchanges and at some point I think it will become a brutal war sooner or later. Look for excitement in this matchup.?
Norman Marcus: ?I feel the 40-year-old Marquez will win by TKO or KO. He is old for a top tier fighter but seems to be in excellent shape and very motivated. Bradley on the other hand seems to be the luckiest fighter I have ever seen. He really lost to Pacquiao but won a SD there. Then he lost to Provodnikov (Pacquiao?s sparring partner), but again won a UD. The Tartar staggered him throughout the fight and knocked him down in the 12th round! He was so beat up in both fights that he had to go to the hospital by ambulance after each bout. A real champ sends the other guy to the hospital! I predict his luck will run out this time. Save your money Timothy, you?ll need it to open a sports bar and support your family.?
Gordon Marino: ?This is a really tough one to pick. Both Marquez and Bradley are fighters with a remarkable will to win. In addition to being elite boxers, they are amazing spirits. I think it is a case of Bradley?s speed versus Marquez?s technique, and ring intelligence. If Bradley gives him a lot of lateral movement, boxes him, I think he will win. But I?m predicting that Marquez will force him to do battle. Marquez is a consummate counterpuncher?great timing. And I think he will find enough openings in this battle to win a unanimous decision.
David Matthew: ?I expect a very competitive fight where the early rounds feature disciplined boxing from both warriors. As the fight progresses, I see more of a fight breaking out, which I see favoring Marquez who in my estimation has the heavier hands and better timed power shots. Bradley?s heart will see him exchanging toe-to-toe, despite his corner?s instructions, and may lead to a late round stoppage win for Marquez. If Bradley can remain disciplined and resist the urge to engage in phone-booth exchanges, he has a chance to box with Marquez. Ultimately, I think *this* version of Marquez is too strong, too experienced, and too good for Bradley to overcome.?
Robert Mladinich: ?This is a very competitive fight where a good argument could be made for either guy. If Bradley was a harder puncher, I?d give him a much better chance to win, but my guess is that Marquez, an old master, will win a hard-fought decision. Marquez W 12.?
Ezra Salkin: ?I can only see two possible outcomes for this fight. Bradley definitely can?t knock out Marquez. He can use his speed, youth, and athleticism to outwork the great 40-year-old hitter?if Bradley fights disciplined, and isn?t permanently damaged from the Provodinikov fight. Marquez, however, with his newfound power, intelligence, and razor-sharp counter-punching, can knock Bradley out?especially if Bradley gets overly-confident, maybe if the crowd starts booing, and engages him. Marquez is deadly predatory when he hurts an opponent and is better at sticking to the game plan. I slightly favor this second turn of events, particularly late in the fight, after Bradley?s discipline lapses. Marquez by late-round TKO.?
Ted Sares: ?In my view, the style advantage goes to Marquez because Bradley is very short with short arms. Bradley compensates for this lack of range by being very busy and periodically unloading bursts of punches and outworking his opponents, but when he tried that with Provodnikov, he had to adjust and go to a another fight plan that may have left him damaged. Against Marquez, he needs to punch in bunches and then quickly back off (i.e., run) before JMM can counter. That?s easier said than done because JMM?s ability to counter is virtually unmatched. I see him stunning Tim with one during an exchange and then closing the show. In this respect, JMM is also a killer closer and will not let Timothy off the hook. JMM by TKO.?
Ted Spoon: ?People were right to expect a chess match for the Mayweather-Alvarez fight, but expect a more bruising one this Saturday. A fast start by Bradley may not be a bad idea, to create a little point?s cushion whilst Marquez investigates, but then he?ll need to cool it and find his stroke. Maintaining an uncomfortable pace with short-lived combos is the key, but while I can see this in spots I can?t for the full twelve. Ultimately it feels as if Bradley will have to carve out a performance beyond his abilities. He generally fights at mid-range, and as altercations warm up Marquez becomes more creative. The Mexican is the one with the firepower, the pedigree, and nobody responds better than Dinamita during a crisis, not against hittable opponents. With a reddened mug the aging Mexican will land the big shots, convince the judges and take out a brave opponent in the latter rounds.?
Peter Wood: ?Bradley wins a very bloody decision?he might even TKO Marquez. This will be a great fight. But Bradley is too young and fast for this 40-year-old future Hall of Famer. A dogged Bradley should gain dominance around the 10th round. Personally, I?d like to see Marquez win, but youth will be served on that night?If these two guys were heavyweights, boxing would be worthy of front page news again.?
