RC's Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley Quick Preview:

I have a question for you boxing fans: Are Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley REALLY fighting this weekend? I ask because just a few short years ago, no one had to ask because Manny Pacquiao was the most exiting fighter in boxing and his promoter Bob Arum was promoting the hell out of his fights. How often has Bob Arum been on TV in the past few months?  Seriously, I know Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2 with 38 KO's) faces Timothy Bradley (33-1-1 with 13 KO's) for the vacant WBO International Welterweight title and Top Rank is promoting this trilogy but really, where's the buzz for this fight?

So why is this fight not as anticipated as their last two battles? Is this fight lacking interest due to the fact that Manny's arch-rival, Floyd Mayweather took him to school last May? Or is it because everyone has seen this movie before and we expect to see the same outcome? Is it because Manny announced this will be his last fight (like anyone really believes him)?  OR, is it because Manny Pacquio upset A LOT of people with his recent anti-gay comments that he apologized for and then later revised?  Either way, its clear that Pacquiao's popularity has taken a major hit.

As for Timothy Bradley, he recently acquired the services of longtime trainer Teddy Atlas and Bradley was impressive vs Brandon Rios in their first fight together, but is Atlas capable of coming up with the perfect game plan capable of neutralizing Manny? Will Bradley listen to Teddy and not revert back to what got him into trouble vs Pacquiao in their first two fights? One things for sure: Manny Pacquiao will be facing a different Timothy Bradley this Saturday night.

Keys to the Fight

Pacquiao: 

Go to the body early and often: When Manny was at his best, he threw body shots early and often. But over the past 5 years or so, Pacquiao has been strictly a head-hunter.  He has to go to the body vs Bradley in this fight in order to slow him down.

Use your counter, right hook: Remember when Manny used to hurt guys with his counter right hook? Its been a while since he's consistently used it, but against Bradley, the counter right hook could be the punch that Bradley's not ready for.

If the knockout comes, go for it, but don't look for it early on: I know--Timothy Bradley is not a knockout puncher, but neither was Juan Manuel Marquez and we all know what happened when Manny fought him in their 4th and final fight. If Manny hurts Bradley early, I'm sure he'll go for the KO, but he has to remember Bradley is as tough as nails and underestimating his power could prove to be a huge mistake.. 

Bradley: 

Keep the fight in the center of the ring: As we saw when Manny fought Marquez and Mayweather, Pacquiao can be out-boxed in the middle of the ring. Bradley is capable of controlling this fight in the center of the ring, as he did vs Marquez a couple years ago.

Counter Manny's jab with right leads: Pacquiao's right jab is not crisp and Bradley can take advantage of that by landing some effective counter right hands.

Throw short, accurate uppercuts when fighting Manny in close quarters: Manny has a tendency of coming in wild when he attacks in close quarters and Bradley does have an accurate right uppercut. Bradley's right uppercut could be his most effective punch in this fight.

Prediction:

I actually believe this fight will be very competitive. After trading early knockdowns and fighting on even terms for 10 rounds, Bradley will clearly out-work Manny in the last 2 rounds and edge out a close decision on most fans scorecards. But unfortunately for Bradley, the judges will view the fight in a different way.

 Manny Pacquiao wins a close and very controversial majority decision over Timothy Bradley...