Tonight, from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) and Tim Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) will compete in a twelve round main event for the WBO Welterweight Championship.
Marquez vs Bradley is an elite-level match-up that is scheduled to be broadcast on HBO PPV with a start time of 9PM EST/6PM PST.
The special event is available at a purchase price of $54.99 in standard definition and $64.99 in high definition through your local cable and satellite carrier or streaming online.
While betting odds reflect JMM as the slight favorite, most fight scribes and boxing fans are expecting the 40 year old Mexican fight legend to decisively hand the granite chinned title holder his first professional loss.
Who will reign supreme when the final bell sounds?
Expert fight trainer James Gogue strategically examines this intriguing pound for pound pairing, and gives boxing fans an indication of what to expect in the ring.
Trainer extraordinaire James Gogue has 30 years in the fight game and an elite-level understanding of the sport “What makes this bout so intriguing is not only their elite-level skills and athleticism, but also both combatants’ uncanny ability to fight through adversity and ultimately get the better of their respective opposition,” explains the three decade boxing coach. “Marquez and Bradley are two of the best fighters in boxing for that reason.”
“The two proud fighters were recently viewed as opponents for one of the biggest names in the sport, and this is their opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of boxing without being overshadowed by Manny Pacquiao. Both men want to be recognized as the best fighter in boxing and are willing to leave everything in the ring to prove their dominance.”
“This match-up should be an action filled, elite level contest that will more than likely appeal to both groups of fight fans; those who appreciate the intricacies of the Sweet Science, as well as the fans who just want to see an exciting scrap with a lot of punches thrown.”
Although Tim Bradley will be the undefeated, incumbent champion going into tonight’s contest, James Gogue recognizes the dangers in facing an extremely intelligent and resourceful pugilist like Juan Manuel Marquez.
“JMM is a very special fighter,” asserts the lifelong boxing proponent. “Marquez’s finest attribute as a prizefighter is his ability to neutralize an opponent’s strengths with his exceptionally high ring IQ. The all-time great was able to nullify Pacquiao’s speed and reflexes with a keen perception of timing and rhythm, while recognizing Manny’s range at all times in the ring.”
“His footwork, ability to counter effectively, capacity to set traps while fighting at angles, and proficiency in throwing creative combinations from different positions will more than likely negate Bradley’s speed and athleticism in the ring as well.”
“JMM simply has to be JMM in the ring to take Bradley’s WBO Welterweight title.”
Usually prizefighters have a very short window in which they are able to execute a perfect blend of wisdom and optimum physical ability in the ring. This fleeting period of time is usually what fight fans and boxing scribes refer to as a fighter’s “prime”.
Ostensibly, Marquez has been able to extend his fighting prime much longer than most of his boxing peers. While father time eventually catches up with every man, Gogue doesn’t believe we’ll see Juan Manuel Marquez grow old before our very eyes tonight in Las Vegas.
“Although Marquez just turned 40 years old in August, the crafty Mexican fighter seems to be in the best condition of his professional career. Not only has he been able to sustain his speed and reflexes in the ring, but JMM seems to have greatly increased his overall punching power as well.”
“Usually when a fighter gets older, his ability to avoid punches greatly diminishes, and his capacity to let his hands go proficiently decreases as well. His reflexes, footwork, hand speed, and overall athleticism begin to fail him in the ring with increased age. Sometimes it seemingly happens overnight.”
“If Bradley hopes to retain his title tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center, he had better pray that time has eroded some of Marquez’s speed and reflexes in the ring. In my opinion, that is Tim’s best chance of winning the fight.”
Despite seeing Marquez as the favorite to win tonight’s championship contest, Gogue does see a strategy that could spell victory for the undefeated American fighter.
“Desert Storm has to basically fight the perfect fight,” professes James Gogue. “
He must use a variety of strategies in sporadic intervals throughout the twelve round contest and can’t afford to make any mistakes against this version of Juan Manuel Marquez.”
“We saw what happened to Manny Pacquiao after making one miscalculation in the ring. Even though Tim seems to have an uncanny ability to absorb his opponent’s best shots and persevere, he doesn’t want to test that theory against a mentally and physically strong fighter like JMM.”
“To be successful against Juan Manuel Marquez, Tim Bradley must use every weapon in his arsenal at different moments throughout the fight to keep JMM off balance.”
“Just like a Major League pitcher when facing an intelligent power hitter in baseball, he can’t just rely on one pitch to strike him out or he’ll give up the home run. He has to mix up his pitches and consistently keep the batter guessing, while using the split finger, slider, curve, breaking ball, and four seam fastball…every pitch in his tool box is needed to get the job done.”
“That’s the mentality Bradley must adopt in this fight to see any kind of long term success against an incredibly smart fighter like Juan Manuel Marquez. If he doesn’t mix up his strategy in the ring at sporadic intervals, JMM will adapt and adjust accordingly…just like he’s done against 55 other opponents.”
“Bradley has to box from long range at times, fight on the inside at times, fight at mid-range at times, be aggressive at times, use the entire ring at times…he really has to keep JMM guessing if he wants to win this fight.”
“Tim also has to utilize intelligent feints at disjunct intervals as well, while mixing in sporadic jabs from different angles. Bradley has to do everything he can to keep Marquez off balance and uncomfortable in the ring.”
“If Bradley fights in pattern, Marquez will eventually figure it out and exploit it.”
Despite seeing a definitive gameplan for both competitors, the expert trainer sees one fighter emerging as the victor in this elite level match-up.
“Although Tim Bradley possesses the heart, determination, conditioning, and athleticism to defeat any fighter on any given day, I don’t see Juan Manuel Marquez losing to the incumbent champ at this juncture in his career.”
“It’s going to be a great, action filled chess match, with both men seeing degrees of success at various times throughout the fight. But Marquez is quite simply the more skilled, intelligent, and powerful fighter at this time.”
“Look for Marquez to win by unanimous decision or possibly a late round stoppage.”
