Pacquiao might be in for a surprise

TIMOTHY Bradley Jr. was not the first on the list of boxers lined up to fight Manny Pacquiao. His name in fact came after more celebrated fighters like Mayweather, Marquez and Cotto.

In fact, Lamont Peterson, another champion in the light welterweight division, was considered before the WBO champion.

Bradley’s numbers by themselves are outstanding. Undefeated in 29 fights, he reigns as a king in the light welterweight level. However, compared to the other contenders, some say that this record pales in comparison.

He may not be the best choice based on ring records, but he might just have something that may surprise the Filipino champ.

Young and hungry

Youth is always both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Bradley brings into this fight far fresher legs than Pacquiao’s last 10 foes. At 29, Bradley is just peaking and can put Pacquiao’s stamina to the test.

Clearly, he brings in a level of stamina and endurance that Team Pacquiao must take into consideration. Bradley is expected to bring the fight to Pacquiao—bob, weave and engage when needed.

The argument against youth is always Bradley’s relative inexperience. He has been in interesting fights, but not in one as big as this or against a fighter nearly as big as the eight-division world champ.

Bradley has had impressive fights with Luis Abregu and Devon Alexander but these two are nowhere near the likes of the foes that Pacquiao has disposed of.

Bradley must come in with a fight plan leveraging on his youthfulness, but the fighter himself must be grounded enough not to be overwhelmed by the situation.

He is aggressive with an above-average work rate. He can be described as a slugger, always willing to mix it up and engage.

He throws a lot of punches as he moves forward and throws as much as he moves away. He could still punch even when his opponent forces him into a clinch. His defense is his offense.

Pacquiao in the recent past has not been up against somebody with this kind of work rate.

Speed

“Bradley has skills but I have seen more skilled; Bradley has speed but I have seen faster boxers, but he gets the job done,” said one TV commentator who covered Bradley’s Abregu fight.

Bradley may not be the fastest out there, but he is certainly the fastest of all the fighters that Pacquiao has faced.

Bradley has counterpunching skills akin to Juan Manuel Marquez. Moreover, he throws these punches from weird angles.

Short but exciting fight

If both boxers do what they do, this will be a very short fight. Someone is bound to drop.

Pacquiao clearly has the edge, proving in the past that he has power in one punch. If that does not work, he can wear you down.

Bradley’s main weapon is his aggressive style coupled with his ability to counter from weird angles. If he catches Pacquiao at the right moment, he might just pull off an upset.