Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Juan Manuel Marquez Provides Blueprint for Beating Pac-Man

Manny Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley in the MGM Grand on June 9 for the WBO Welterweight title.

Pacquiao enters the fight heavily favored against the undefeated Bradley. 

In an interview with BoxingScene.com, Pacquiao speaks of his three fights with Juan Manuel Marquez and his upcoming bout with Bradley.

Bradley should use Marquez's fighting style as a blueprint to beating Pac-Man's aggressive southpaw assault. 

Let's take a look at what Marquez did against Pacquiao in their three contests and what Bradley can learn from his veteran tactics.

Marquez's approach

Pacquiao commented on Marquez's approach in his BoxingScene.com interview.

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I get asked a lot about my fights with Juan Manuel Marquez. Our trilogy has been as exciting for us as it has been for boxing fans. Juan really understands how to fight southpaws. He's a very smart man and an excellent fighter. His deliberate and patient style of fighting is a product that comes from experience, and experience against great opposition. He's a brilliant counterpuncher.

My trainer, Freddie Roach, has said many times that Juan is the only smart one out there—the only fighter who has figured me out.

"

Marquez's experience allowed him to pick apart Pacquiao's technique and find any minor flaws. He is a precise tactician.

Bradley does not have Marquez's power, but he can still learn things from watching the highlights from Pac-Man's previous bouts against Marquez.

Marquez maintained outside foot position against Pacquiao's flailing southpaw assault. This forced Pacquiao to reach, overextend himself and leave himself vulnerable to counterattacks. 

Bradley cannot get into a toe-to-toe slugfest with Pacquiao. Exploiting his aggressive approach may be his only hope of doing serious damage to Pac-Man's head or body. And Bradley needs to watch Marquez's footing and how he approached Pacquiao. Bradley's lack of experience can be bolstered by watching the more experienced Marquez take on Pacquiao's power.

Bradley's strengths

Pacquiao also talked about Bradley's strengths as a fighter with BoxingScene.com.

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Timothy Bradley brings a lot of weapons to a fight. He has youth, an aggressive style and a state of mind that only a world champion possesses. No matter how much talent a fighter has, his game is raised by being a world champion. Tim has always found a way to win. He has great determination and can adapt and change his game plan in mid fight.

Bradley seems to be improving with every fight. His victories over Lamont Peterson and Devon Alexander, who were undefeated when he fought them, were very impressive. He knows how to impose his will on his opponents. He turns fights into wars.

"

Bradley may lack Marquez's experience, but he is talented nonetheless. Bradley's undefeated record and contending status speaks to that. 

Pacquiao's assessment, claiming Bradley "turns fights into wars," needs to be used to Bradley's full advantage. Bradley is not going to outpunch or dance around Pacquiao. He must clinch, keep things tight when he has too and use his defense to his advantage. 

If Bradley wants to beat Pacquiao he will need to fight the best fight of his career. He will need to choose his spots and keep Pac-Man off balance with a blend of maneuvers. He will need to stay focused and adapt on the fly in front of the MGM Grand crowd. This is the biggest fighting stage of his career, and he cannot let the moment become too big.