Bradley wasn't Top Rank's first choice or second. After negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr stalled again and Miguel Cotto wisely decided not to trim down to welterweight (147lbs), only Bradley, Lamont Peterson and Juan Manuel Marquez were left in contention to win the 'Manny Pacquiao Sweepstakes.'
Peterson, a full-fledged world jr welterweight (140 lb) champion like Timothy Bradley, would have been a worthy contender but his decisive loss to Bradley in 2009 likely hindered any remote chance he had of getting the call. And, sensing the public wasn't quite ready to see Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez IV yet, Top Rank ultimately decided on Timothy Bradley who, like Manny Pacquiao, is promoted by Top Rank's Bob Arum.
Top Rank inked Timothy Bradley last year and probably would have wanted more time to build-up Bradley's name, generate a lot of buzz and endear him as much as possible to the masses before throwing him in with Manny Pacquiao but, in boxing, everything doesn't always work out as planned.
Incidentally, there is a chance Marquez will fight Peterson next, with the winner of that bout potentially in-line for a fall bout against Manny Pacquiao should Manny defeat Bradley and Pacquiao vs Mayweather fails to materialize... again.
Who is Timothy Bradley?
The fighter dubbed 'Desert Storm,' is arguably the best 140-pound fighter in the world and certainly has the height and frame to fight at 147 lbs without missing a beat. Furthermore, Timothy Bradley is No. 9 on Ring's pound-for-pound list and No. 11 on FightSaga's same list. The 28 year old Califirnian is an elite fighter and would pose a formidable challenge to anyone at jr welterweight and welterweight, including Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
His name isn't as big as Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr or Miguel Cotto's but Timothy Bradley is, by no means, a slouch. He'a a young, hungry, disciplined, elite-level fighter who should be taken very seriously.
But what he lacks in name recognition, Bradley makes up for in skill, speed, athleticism and ability.
Timothy Bradley Facts
- Age: 28
- Years Pro: 8
- Record: 28-0-0-1NC, 12 KO
- Height: 5'6" (1.68 cm)
- Reach: 69" (175 cm)
- Stance: Orthodox
Most Impressive Wins:
- TD 10 Devon Alexander - 2011
- UD 12 Lamont Peterson - 2009
- UD 12 Kendall Holt - 2099
- SD 12 Junior Witter - 2008
World Titles Won:
- WBC Jr Welterweight, 2008-09
- WBO Jr Welterweight, 2009-Present
- WBC Jr Welterweight, 2011
Amateur Pedigree
Bradley's extensive amateur pedigree far surpasses Manny Pacquaio's, supporting some experts' arguement that Bradley is far more experienced than his pro record indicates. As an amateur, he compiled an impressive record of 125-20 and medaled at numerous high-profile tournaments.
Bradley was well-positioned to make the U.S. Olympic Team before the Olympic Committee made a major change that left Bradley facing an uphill battle.
"Six months before the Olympic Trials, they changed the weight divisions. They eliminated both the 156 and 147-pound weight classes and combined them at a new weight, 152," said Bradley, who is only 5'6" six inches tall. "I was still rated No. 3 in the country, but these guys I had to fight at 152 were a lot bigger than me."
"At 147, nobody in the U.S. could have taken me and I know I would have made the Olympic team," Bradley said.
Speed and Accuracy
Timothy Bradley has very fast hands, allowing him to take advantage of opponents' openings. And as a result of the excellent technique he honed as an amateur, Bradley's a master in precision punching. He is quicker than most of Manny Pacquiao's foes in recent memory, including Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Ricky Hatton and Antonio Margarito.
Underrated power
With only 12 knockouts in 28 wins Bradley isn't a huge puncher and doesn't possess the double-fisted explosiveness of Manny Pacquiao but he has decent power, especially in his right hand. He was able to hurt the durable Lamont Peterson, dropping him in Round 3 en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Bradley also floored Junior Witter upon winning his first world title in May 2008. While he doesn't get many knockouts, he scores knockdowns and often hurts his opponents, forcing them into retreat.
Last month Bradley told FightSaga, "Why don't some of these guys saying I don't have power get in the ring with me, spar with me and take some of these shots I'm dishing out? I know the power is there. It's just a matter of me getting into a fight and actually showing it."
Conditioning
Bradley always comes into the ring in excellent shape so expect nothing less against Manny Pacquiao. Timothy Bradley will be prepared to fight hard for all 12 rounds. He throws punches in bunches and has the conditioning and stamina to do it all night. Manny Pacquiao's strategy should not be dependent on Timothy Bradley wilting in the latter rounds - That would be a mistake.
Footwork/ Overall Defense
Few fighters have the footwork of Manny Pacquiao, including Timothy Bradley. But few of Pacquiao's opponents could move as well as Bradley. He has tremendous lateral movement, allowing him to mount attacks from different angles and keep his opponents off-balance. And although he doesn't move as much as Pacquiao, he is not easy to hit because, unlike Margarito and Clottey, he's not a stationary target. Honing sound defensive fundamentals as an amateur, Bradley's defensive techniques are solid. He keeps his hands high and rolls and parries very well.
Adaptability/Arsenal
Timothy Bradley's ability to adapt is arguably his best trait. He's a chameleon in the ring. He can box well in retreat and brawl very well coming forward. Former Pacquiao foes Hatton, Mosley, Clottey, Marquez and Margarito had only one style but Bradley is stylistically multi-dimensional. And like Marquez, Bradley will counter-punch the pants off an opponent all night long.
Is Bradley a Threat to Pacquiao?
Bradley is an intelligent fighter and excellent ring technician. To date, he has been able to control the action in his bouts and dictate the tempo and pace. Styles make fights and Bradley's style, like Marquez's, may give Manny Pacquiao fits. If so, Pac will be in for a long night because Bradley is faster and technically more versatile than Marquez.
When asked what separated him from Manny Pacquiao and what he would do differently against the counter-punching sensation, Marquez, Bradley confidently stated, "I'm one hell of a counter-puncher too." He also emphasized his hand-speed, 'underrated footspeed' and allusiveness, and reminded fans he's stylistically multi-dimentional, asserting he can be a polished boxer and rugged slugger.
Bradley also told FightSaga, "I love to mix it up. Going to the body is one thing I love to do. I love to brawl even though I started my career as a (pure) boxer. I was moving and dancing around and looking cute until my trainer taught me to become a hunter. (Now) I love to bang."
Manny Pacquiao will be the favorite June 9th but Timothy Bradley, despite being relatively unknown to the masses, is as formidable a fighter as Pacquiao has faced.
Will Manny Pacquiao's name be added to the growing list of Mr. Bradley's vanquished foes?
