One of the best things to have in life is options, as it is never a great feeling to have only one way to go; especially when another party is in control over the outcome. The luxury of having options in life allows one to be able to evaluate the various avenues available for success in case one way does not work out. Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and super lightweight champion Tim Bradley are aware of the importance of having options and seem to have targeted each other as their backup plan in case a fight with superstar Manny Pacquiao fails to come to fruition.
It was reported throughout many news outlets that Team Pacquiao is considering Marquez and Bradley on a short list of potential opponents (along with fellow boxing titleholders Lamont Peterson and Miguel Cotto) for Manny’s next fight. Manny and his team will go over the details on whom they select as their next opponent in the coming weeks and both Marquez and Bradley hope their name is selected; however in the case that none of them get chosen for the lucrative position of standing opposite the “Pacman” they have opened another avenue to continue on their paths.
Both fighters in recent days have expressed an interest to tackle each other in the ring in the event that Manny selects Peterson, Cotto or any other boxer as his next foe. A possible bout between these two would make a very compelling event as the counter punching Marquez is coming off a very impressive performance against Pacquiao while the slick Bradley is slowly developing himself as  one of the top fighters in the game.
Tension has already started to brew between the two as Nacho Beristain (Marquez’s trainer) has stated that he feels Bradley is a dirty fighter who uses his head to hurt his opponents. Bradley was very quick to respond and said that Nacho is simply afraid to let Juan get in the ring with him. Though it is unlikely that Juan is afraid to get in the ring with anyone (he has entered the ring against Manny and Floyd Mayweather), the trash talk between camps is generating more buzz to what would be a great match up.
Bradley’s ultimate goal is to step up in class and take on the best fighters in the world around his weight class. The obvious top names are Pacquiao and Mayweather, however I feel it is too soon for him to jump in the ring with either of them as he is still polishing his fantastic skills and also still developing his name brand value. A fight would either of those two pound for pound kings would to me seem a bit premature for Bradley not only skills wise but also financially; as if he spends a little more time raising his name value then the rewards he would attain by fighting them would be much greater.
Marquez represents the perfect fighter at this time for Bradley. While not at the top of the pound for pound lists, Marquez is ranked very highly and will also be the best opponent Tim has faced to date. Juan would not only present a barometer as to where Bradley stands in terms of skill level, but due to his astonishing display of courage and grit against the power punching Pacquiao, Marquez’s stock is super high right now. Therefore Juan would present a very good stepping stone for Tim into the top level of talent in boxing and also give his name the boost it needs.
Marquez meanwhile will once again get a chance to shock the world and add to his hall of fame career if he can take down a top and prime rising talent like Bradley.
Therefore this possible fight between two fighters who are just a notch below the cream of the crop of boxing (Manny and Floyd) shows that having options is key to keep a good thing going, and just as in life if a key plan or goal falls through there is still abundant ways to keep growing and climbing.
I really do believe ,too, that Marquez and Bradley should fight.If Marquez loses on his 4th fight with Pacquiao,the Mexican will whine again and say “ROBO”.This man does not accept defeat if the fights are close contests.
His stock will surely rise if he can dispose Bradley convincingly.But let me remind him not to cry “ROBO” if Bradley gets by a win through a whisker.Backpedaling and Counterpunching strategy of this Mexican may not be a surefire recipe to win the judges scoring.
So much disrespect for Marquez coming from the Pac crowd. Pathetic.
Anywho, Marquez/Bradley will be good for Marquez. Bradley is overhyped with limited power, leads with his head, susceptible to left hooks and, unlike Kendall Holt, Marquez will finish him.
In order to keep a massive retirement payday in the works with Mayweather, Pacquiao wont mess with Peterson, and probably take another safe fight with Cotto.
The real PFP force in this broad division(s) is The Ghost Guerrero, who’s incredible left jab/punch will keep plodders like Bradley – and bum rushers like Pacquiao – at bay while he picks them off from the outside. Guerrero probably wont see any of these guys in the ring, with maybe the exception of Peterson, and THAT would be a great fight.