Bradley chances slim and dwindling
Honestly, what are the chances of unbeaten Tim Bradley against Manny Pacquiao in their April 12 rematch at the MGM Grand Las Vegas?
“Tim Bradley’s chance(s) of beating Manny Pacquiao is akin to having Satan start serving sherbet or ice cream in hell.”
Before the Pacman drops his guard, he’s hereby reminded the chilling quip was not delivered by either Michael Marley (irreverent) or Larry Merchant (reverend).
That’s from boxing expert Hermie Rivera, who often sidelines as visiting clown in many of Pacquiao’s major camps.
* * *
In fairness to Bradley, reigning WBO welterweight title owner, he was given a fair chance of beating Pacquiao shortly before the formal announcement of their rematch.
The odds for a Bradley win however dwindled, steadily if not drastically, as Pacquiao started to pitch camp in his native General Santos City, where he is expected to be joined by his famous American trainer, Freddie Roach anytime now.
There were various factors, but the biggest blow to Bradley’s brag that he would beat Pacquiao came after the unbeaten American frantically insisted that the eight-division world champ has lost his killer instinct.
* * *
That was as loud as crying Pacquiao, a born warrior, was no longer capable of competent combat.
Of course, this claim did fire up the scene, thus pushing chances of the pay per view buys for the rematch—although, it barely broke 900,000 in the June 2012 initial clash—making over one million hits.
Now, looking back, Bradley should be made to realize he had made it over Ruslan Provodnikov as Pacquiao’s next foe because he was definitely more saleable.
Bradley, truth to tell, is a lot less dangerous than the rock-hard Russian bomb thrower.
* * *
By the way, not a few keen-eyed fans have been harking on the fact that Bradley was anything but spectacular in scoring a questionable split decision win over Provodnikov.
Bradley, in fact, had been battered silly in that concussive bout. He was not given an eight count despite a clear fall in the first round. He was mercifully saved by the bell in the final round, after he all but got blasted out of the ring by a desperate Provodnikov onslaught.
As for the latest tally on Bradley’s chances, trust Señor Rivera, who turns 76 on April 17, to toll: Slim and none. Honestly, little and dwindling is more like it.
* * *
Here are more classic Hermie Rivera quips as compiled by his son: “Granted he knows how, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will swim across the Pacific Ocean for $100 million to fight Manny PacMan in Manila.
“Absolutely, the Sarangani warrior does not mind being called The Honorable Idol. “Manny ran into a loaded dump truck named Juan Manuel Marquez.
What was in it, Bob? Power Enhancing Drugs (addressed to Top Rank’s Grand Rajah Bob Arum who promptly ordered Rivera to squat, thereby drawing cachinnation from the media mob at MGM’s presser) Finally a bonus quip: “And how many world champs have you produced?”
My irrepressible Dad questioning my insistence of a Money May KO by D’Pac employing the ubiquitous halo-halo, a sweet blend of a right jab, left straight and the killer blow—a scintillating right hook !!!)
