RingTV.com was the first to report this week that the consensus No. 1 fighter in the world Manny Pacquiao agreed in principle to face Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
It’s a summer showdown, thankfully without promoter Bob Arum’s proposed temporary bleacher set up near an old casino site that would not coincide comfortably with 100-plus degree weather that Nevada has during their summer months of the year.
However, if Bradley has his way, there’s still going to be a storm come June.
“It’s official my manager has made my dreams come true and I have signed my contract to fight Manny Pacquiao. It’s time to get to work!” exclaimed Bradley via his Twitter account on Thursday.
Although his power is lacking the backing of stoppage victories, with only 12 of his 28 wins in his thus far undefeated career coming by way of knockout, the Californian matches well in height, weight and reach in comparison to the Congressman from the Philippines.
Bradley is undoubtedly in his prime at the age of 28, has fresh and conditioned legs and possesses a considerable amount of ring knowledge and know-how. He has been down in his career, most notably his title-defending effort against veteran Kendall Holt in April 2009 where he rebounded to win the rest of the match to retain his WBC title and add Holt’s WBO crown.
Later that year in California, Bradley dominated Lamont Peterson, knocking him down in the third frame and scoring a unanimous decision effort, and holds the distinction of being the only boxer to defeat Peterson, who was in the running along with Bradley in getting the call to face Pacquiao in Vegas.
Bradley will also be the youngest opponent since the ascension in weight classes by Manny Pacquiao since the Pac Man took on a 29-year old Miguel Cotto in November 2009. Pacquiao’s other seven opponents in the 2008 to present time-span have been in their early 30’s and higher. (Diaz, De La Hoya, Hatton, Clottey, Margarito, Mosley and Marquez.)
Bradley also has fought overseas.
Traveling to the United Kingdom, Bradley defeated WBC light-welterweight titleholder Junior Witter in May 2008, scoring a knockdown in round six and notching a split decision victory on Witter’s home turf. It was Bradley’s first major title victory and what got him started on his fights being featured on both Showtime and HBO over the years following.
Whether you like the June match up or not, make no doubt about it; Bradley is a seasoned, decorated veteran of the fight game. Although his name is not as well known as it should be in the mainstream, ask any boxing head, and he can tell you who Bradley is in a heart beat.
Some believe it’s a safe bet that the Cotto/Mayweather fight in May will outsell the Pacquiao/Bradley showdown the very next month, and they might even be right. However, of the two, one could easily argue that the Pac Man/Desert Storm showdown may be more competitive in nature in comparison to Cotto/May.
Veteran writer and former editor and chief of the Ring Magazine Nigel Collins recently used his ESPN sponsored Twitter account to say this:
“I’m fine with PacMan-Bradley. Tim might not be a big name, but he’s talented & hungry. For me, a fun fight is more important than PPV sales.”
Very well put, Nigel.
