Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Pac-Man Will Face Serious Test Against Tim Bradley

We all wanted Manny Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather in the boxing match to end all others, but again, the sport deprives its ever-dwindling fan base of the fight they really want.

While casual fans are up in arms over this injustice, boxing fans know that Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley is going to be a real test for the Filipino Champion.

Bradley is 28-0-0-1, with the no contest coming after his opponent’s cut was deemed too bad to continue, and he is one of the brightest young stars in the sport. The problem for Manny will be how the cut that ended Bradley’s opponent’s night in his one no-contest got there; a head butt.

Pac-Man’s trainer Freddie Roach told the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

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He’s a dirty fighter, well, he’s a physical fighter. He uses his head, elbows, so forth. Manny does have some trouble with that because Manny can’t retaliate. I tell Manny that if a guy hits you low, hit him back low, but he won’t do that. It could pose a bit of a problem. Manny is excited. Until we name an opponent, boxing is out of Manny’s mind. He’s busy working in (the Philippine) congress. But he gets interested in boxing again when he has an opponent and a fight.

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The idea that Manny will be distracted by anything is unfounded. He has done the same routine over the last several years and this fight will be no different. When Roach tells Manny to get to Las Vegas and train, he will be there and ready to go.

Pacquiao doesn’t take fighting lightly: especially against a fighter as talented as Bradley.

Despite his lack of knockouts (just 10 including TKOs), Bradley has real power in his hands and everyone in the Pac-Man camp knows it. The reason he doesn’t KO more fights is because he doesn’t let himself stay in one spot long enough to land that all-in punch.

He thrives on taking the angle.

With Manny being one of the fastest fighters in the world, facing an opponent who uses his speed and throws hands as well as elbows and head butts will be the toughest opponent he could imagine.

Pac-Man will have to play dirty if he wants to win.

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