Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Fans Shouldn't Overlook Desert Storm vs. Pac-Man

Fresh off the heels of Miguel Cotto giving Floyd Mayweather the best fight he's seen in recent memory, Timothy Bradley is eager to prove he can upset Manny Pacquiao.

And he might come closer to pulling off the feat than you might expect.

No, Bradley isn't the sort of crafty counter-puncher that Juan Manuel Marquez is—a style that certainly gave Pacquiao trouble the third time the two fighters met.

But don't expect him to back down. Pacquiao will push forward with his attack, and Bradley will look to match him punch for punch. He's smart enough to counter more than simply brawl, but he won't look to out-box Pacquiao with technical skills, either.

Bradley said as much to Adrian Back of Sportsvibe:

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“They (Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach) know I’m coming. There are no ands, ifs or buts about that,” Bradley states with a confidence that suggests he will go to war on June 9.

“They know I am coming forward, as I need to take the title from the champion. I will try to use my strength, and I know that he likes to move to the right to set up shots, so I am prepared for that. I am a pretty smart fighter in the ring, and I plan to put it all on the line.”

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All in all, this one has all the makings of a very entertaining fight.

Now, I'm not saying Pacquiao won't win this fight—his advantage in quickness and punch power will ultimately be the difference.

But I don't think he'll knock Bradley out. Desert Storm has a solid chin, and he'll work hard enough in preparation for this fight to ensure he doesn't wear down in the later rounds.

He certainly is crafty—and a bit dirty, too—often finding a way to sneak a head butt or two in against an opponent. Pacquaio will have to be aware of that possibility.

Finally, the fighter who works the body harder and more consistently will likely win this fight. It will be tricky for Bradley, given Pacquiao's quick maneuvering and dangerous right hand, but that's where he'll make his money if he is able to continually land body shots.

There is one other thing we haven't talked about, of course, the most dangerous element of Bradley for Pacquiao—Desert Storm knows he has everything to gain from going for broke. He'll step into the ring with far more to gain than he stands to lose. That's dangerous.

Sure, getting knocked out wouldn't be great for his reputation, but risking that in the pursuit of a career-altering victory is certainly worth the danger.

No, I don't think Bradley will win this fight. But I do think he'll be a headache for Pac-Man from start to finish, thus making this bout closer than most would expect.

Strap in, folks—this one is going to be fun.

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