After Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley’s impressive split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, which took place this past Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, most fight fans and boxing scribes have been busy speculating who the current WBO Welterweight Champion will face in 2014.
While most pundits seem to be ruling out any fighter who isn’t currently competing under the Top Rank promotional banner, there are those who are placing the California based chameleon at the top of the “May Day” heap.
With one fight remaining on Tim’s current contractual obligation with Bob Arum and company, more than a few boxing writers and avid boxing fans foresee Bradley jumping promotional boundaries in 2014 and scoring a huge bout with the biggest name in boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
World renowned fight strategist James Gogue sizes up a potential Mayweather vs Bradley meeting for the fight fanatic who eagerly awaits this very special pound-for-pound match-up.
The Lone Star State’s James Gogue, one of the best minds in boxing. “While many detractors of this elite level match-up believe that ‘Terrible Tim’ doesn’t bring the kind of financial clout and fan support needed to create a lucrative May 3rd, 2014 super-fight with the current face of boxing, Bradley does bring credibility to the ring,” explains the three decade fight trainer.” “In order for the fans to be on board with any potential opponent for Floyd Mayweather, a fighter must have the credentials to justify an event of this magnitude.”
“If you look at Bradley’s ring accomplishments, he is the overwhelming favorite to face Mayweather in 2014 from a qualification standpoint.
Despite his current obligation to rival promoter Top Rank, Inc, Bradley would have to be more than obtuse to turn down an opportunity of this magnitude, especially if the two division world champion wants to be recognized as the best fighter in boxing.”
“Floyd always likes to say, ‘If a fight makes dollars, it makes sense’. Because this pairing makes sense from a pugilistic perspective, it will more than likely make ‘cents’ at the box office as well, despite Tim’s apparent lack of fan following. Richard Schaefer, the best business mind in boxing, would be the one to determine that.
But just by looking at the other realistic possibilities at 147 pounds, Tim Bradley overwhelmingly brings the most pugilistic credibility to the ring with wins over Devon Alexander, Manny Pacquiao, Ruslan Provodnikov, and Juan Manuel Marquez.”
Courtesy of Top Rank Although Tim’s achievements in the ring are currently unrivaled among potential candidates included the 2014 Mayweather sweepstakes, does the California native possess the style, skill, and athleticism to hand the pound for pound king his first loss a professional?
“In short…no,” professes expert trainer James Gogue. “Every fighter who has ever stepped foot in the ring with Floyd Mayweather, always states that his handspeed, ring IQ, and reflexes are unmatched in the sport of boxing while being interviewed by the media in attendance at their respective post fight press conference. Watching his fights on tape and standing in front of him face to face in the ring are two completely separate situations.”
“It’s a tall order, to say the least. No offense to the five fans of Timothy Bradley, but he just isn’t on that level. To make an analogy in the business world, if Tim Bradley is an A level commodity, then Floyd Mayweather would be considered to be an A+++ level stock.”
“Both fighters are very similar in their work ethic, mental resolve, and overall will to win. But that’s where the similarities end.” Courtesy of Showtime “The bottom line is that Floyd Mayweather possesses more talent than Tim Bradley; and that factor would reveal itself on the night of the fight.”
Tim is a very smart fighter whose athleticism and intelligence give him the ability to make important adjustments in the ring, but Floyd is the very best and is currently on a different level.”
While the experienced fight trainer sees an outing with the pound for pound king as an insurmountable feat for any fighter, James Gogue outlines a potential strategy for the “Desert Storm”.
Courtesy of Top Rank “To have any chance whatsoever against the best defensive fighter in boxing, Tim has to make it a short range contest.”
He has to drastically cut off the reaction time for Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he tries to work that jab or straight right hand from long range, Money May will see it coming and pick it off or step to the side while possibly countering with a short, compact left hook or straight right hand.”
“Tim has to work behind the jab at medium range while using feints and continuously moving forward to shorten the distance between the two fighters. When Miguel Cotto had success with the jab against Mayweather, he was throwing it from medium range. He hindered Floyd’s ability to react by waiting to throw it at medium range and was able to mount a greater offensive attack than pretty much every other opponent Floyd has faced in his professional career as a result.”
“And if Bradley is able to work his way inside of Floyd’s defense successfully, he’s going to have to let his hands go in quick combination.”
“But against Mayweather, it’s much easier said than done. What Floyd does so effectively that usually turns his customarily offensive minded opponents into tentative shells of themselves, is he rolls away from punches, then counters his opposition with sharp, crisp right hands when they miss, or will often catch them with perfectly timed check left hooks as they attempt to come in.”
“Although Mayweather isn’t really known as a knock-out puncher at 147 pounds, he has deceptive power because of his hand speed and reflexes. In boxing, the punches that have the most impact are the shots that a fighter doesn’t see coming. Most fighters just don’t see Floyd’s punches as they’re landing. Despite Floyd’s reputation as the best fighter in boxing, he still doesn’t get enough credit for his offensive prowess.”
Courtesy of Showtime “Floyd’s detractors often characterize him as a runner, but he wasn’t seen doing much running against Canelo or Cotto throughout the majority of both respective bouts.”
“After getting stung by several right hand counters, both fighters stopped trying to be overly aggressive and were eventually picked apart from mid to long range throughout the back half of the fight.”
“If Bradley is able to work his way inside by using intelligent, quick pressure, he’ll have to let his hands go and try to make it a numbers game against the best defensive fighter in boxing. Floyd never wants to give his opponents a large window of opportunity to throw and land anything of consequence, so you rarely see him fire punches in combination. Bradley must try to exploit this and really let his hands go if he hopes to hand Floyd his first defeat, even if he isn’t able to land anything flush.”
“Desert Storm must be aggressive, let his hands go once he’s closed the distance, and keep punching even if Floyd makes him miss.”
Courtesy of Top Rank “He has to appear to be the machine gun versus the sniper rifle. Because Tim doesn’t have world class power, this would be his best and possibly only chance for victory over the best fighter in the world.”
Despite a logical gameplan from the strategic master, Gogue realistically doesn’t see a loss on the resume of Floyd Mayweather Jr happening any time soon; even if Timothy Bradley is successful in landing a big money fight with the pound for pound king.
“Look, a winning gameplan when fighting Mayweather sounds easy to execute, but no one has ever been able to do it. If Bradley does become a free agent in 2014 and is successful in getting the fight with Mayweather, he’ll turn into number 46.”
“Tim Bradley proved to be one of the elite after defeating JMM this past weekend, but he isn’t the best fighter in boxing. That distinction still belongs to Floyd Mayweather Jr.”
