Preview: Timothy Bradley vs Juan Manuel Marquez Preview: Timothy Bradley vs Juan Manuel Marquez

by Erman Housein

When Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez take centre stage at the MGM Casino in Las Vegas tomorrow night, we will be treated to an occasion which has unfortunately become increasingly rare in today’s boxing scene, a genuine main event fight where it is extremely difficult to pick a winner. It is an intriguing contest between a modern boxing legend and a young, hungry fighter looking to establish himself amongst the elite of the sport.  

The excitement surrounding the fight is given an extra dimension when you consider what is possibly at stake for the winner. The title on the line in this bout is of little significance (as a point of reference It is Bradley’s WBO strap), as we know that Floyd Mayweather is the top man in the division and tomorrow night’s main attraction could qualify itself as an eliminator to become one of Floyd’s chosen four as he counts down to the end of his six fight Showtime contract.  The validity of victory in this contest for either man would make a showdown with Mayweather all the more appealing; Bradley would be pitting an unbeaten record of his own up against Floyd’s ‘0’. The prospect of two undefeated fighters facing off is normally enough to sell a fight on it’s own, throw in a legitimate top class win for Bradley if he comes through Marquez and this will be the all American Showdown the US fight fans have been pining for.  If Marquez nicknamed “Dinamita” were to prevail he would offer Mayweather a very different animal to the version of himself which was soundly beaten by Floyd in 2009. He is now a legitimate powerful welterweight, and having finally exacted some revenge on Manny Pacquio via a devastating knockout victory I am sure he and his camp will lead us to believe he is capable of exacting a similar fate on Mayweather if they were to meet again (and without meaning to open up an old can of worms, without the controversy surrounding fighting weights.)

Of course a possible Mayweather showdown for the victor is a discussion point for another day.  In examining the fight itself, it is Bradley’s mindset and approach to the bout which is likely to prove key in the final analysis.  In the build up Bradley has continually expressed his desire to silence his doubters who feel he isn’t a legitimate player at 147lbs and that he was fortunate the night he picked up the WBO title, via a split decision verdict over Manny Pacquiao last year. As much as Bradley will use the criticism levelled at him as motivation, it could be his willingness to entertain and convert his doubters which ultimately proves his undoing in this fight.  If he approaches Marquez in the same vein as in his all out war with Ruslan Provonikov last time out, he may discover that giving Marquez the opportunity to tee-off at will, is likely to result in Bradley receiving a punch he won’t necessarily see coming until he watches a replay of the fight the following day.

Even if he were to act at the aggressor and take the fight to Marquez, Bradley is not a noted puncher with only 12 stoppage victories amongst his 30 wins, combining this with fact that Marquez has never been stopped in 62 fights, it would suggest that Bradley’s best chance of victory will be to take the bout the full 12 rounds.   In doing so Bradley, will be best to employ tactics which see him fight off of the back foot, moving constantly to really work the stamina and legs of his 40 year old opponent.  Usually when Marquez struggles in fights it is against slick boxers, who force the Mexican to come towards them rather than allow him to wait and choose his attacks.  From Marquez’s perspective, he will be entering the fight with his confidence sky high, having finally put to bed the ghosts of the first 3 Pacquiao fights and from looking at his physique, you can safely say that his recent training has all been geared around increasing his strength and punching power at the weight.  Surely he believes going in to battle that he will be able to end the fight before the scorecards are read if he can land flush on the chin of Bradley.  Marquez knows what his strengths are and he will look to counter punch and capitalise on any mistake Bradley may make on the night.

Obviously there are things we can’t know until the fight is under away, will Marquez have the same motivation than he did for the Manny Pacquaio fight, will the punishment Bradley took against Provonikov have taken a lot out of him. What we can be certain of is that Juan Manuel Marquez will not produce a display out of character, he will not chance a strategy which may jeopardise his chances of victory.  The big question is will Tim Bradley revert back to the style which established his success and led him to his biggest career victory over Manny Pacquiao or will he continue to try and prove himself to the boxing fans who question is legitimacy by fighting out of his comfort zone against a truly exceptional operator.

http://v2journal.com/16/post/2013/10/preview-timothy-bradley-vs-juan-manuel-marquezpreview-timothy-bradley-vs-juan-manuel-marquez.html

There is the possibility of this fight being a stinker. Both are in exciting fights when in with come forward fighters. This could be like bradley v Alexander. Hopefully not though. And hopefully they both come out safe.
Some crazy stuff out about Bradley around the pronovkiv fight. He had to come down from 185lbs to make 147lb. I thought he stayed in shape?

I see Bradley getting countered all night. He won't stop Marquez and at some point this fight gets dirty.

Marquez UD

Bradley lko. JMM just can't go on forever. Is he on the elixir of youth?  

azania wrote:Bradley lko. JMM just can't go on forever.  Is he on the elixir of youth?  

Said that about Hopkins. Marquez has the style to beat Bradley. If Bradley tries to rough Marquez up I beleive he will get koed but I see Marquez just countering him. Bradley needs a fighter to engage with him Marquez is not that stupid he will wait and let Bradley miss and tag him. Bradley is not a smart fighter, Marquez will figure him out.

He was smart enough against witter who is as tricky and un engaging ad they come.

azania wrote:He was smart enough against witter who is as tricky and un engaging ad they come.

Nothing smart about a big looping right hook against a past it Witter who switched off for a couple of seconds.

Fought the wrong fight against the big punching Russian in his last fight. Everyone knows that you don't follow a puncher around he was lucky not to get koed. Marquez too smart for him.

So as soon as witter lost he became past it.

azania wrote:So as soon as witter lost he became past it.

I don't see a question mark so yes exactly

Using the phone there so couldn't be bothered with little details. He aimed that looping right hook on Witter's chin and it landed. This is the same witter who Hatton ducked.

Ahhhh junior witter. Never liked the guy if im honest and Hatton would have tore him a new bumhole.

Im bouncing between a JMM LKO and a Bradley UD.....just depends on what fight Tim ends up in really.

azania wrote:Bradley lko. JMM just can't go on forever.  Is he on the elixir of youth?  

What a surprise most people predict JMM to win so AZ predicts Bradley to win.

I think Bradley will win on points. Can see something controversial happening as well. Maybe a undeserved split decision either way

Champagne_Socialist wrote:

azania wrote:Bradley lko. JMM just can't go on forever.  Is he on the elixir of youth?  

What a surprise most people predict JMM to win so AZ predicts Bradley to win.

Why not comment on the OP as opposed to me you plank?.

I might be on my own here, as this board appears to look very favourably on Bradley's victory over Pacquiao (which for me was daylight robbery of the highest order)- but I just don't think Bradley is that good. In fact, he's overrated in my opinion, he's a C+ fighter at best.

His only notable victory (not including Pacquiao) was against Alexander, and that was a dull affair where neither fighter really managed to get going.

Think Marquez dominates this to a wide UD most probably. However, I would not want to watch another Mayweather vs. Marquez encounter, as Marquez is on the slide now and it will just be another one sided master class from Floyd (basing it on his last fight with Pacquiao where he was actually beat to the punch on many occasions, unlike previous fights).

All Time Great wrote:I might be on my own here, as this board appears to look very favourably on Bradley's victory over Pacquiao (which for me was daylight robbery of the highest order)- but I just don't think Bradley is that good. In fact, he's overrated in my opinion, he's a C+ fighter at best.

His only notable victory (not including Pacquiao) was against Alexander, and that was a dull affair where neither fighter really managed to get going.

Think Marquez dominates this to a wide UD most probably. However, I would not want to watch another Mayweather vs. Marquez encounter, as Marquez is on the slide now and it will just be another one sided master class from Floyd (basing it on his last fight with Pacquiao where he was actually beat to the punch on many occasions, unlike previous fights).

You're not alone. It was daylight robbery as you say. I pick Bradley because he is more natural at the weight. JMM is great no doubt. But his last fight with Paq masks a lot of issues. For one he has Paq's number. If they both fought at MW their fights would be close. JMM i snot a WW regardless of how his body looks or how he got there. Bradley can be a cute boxer if he chooses and it is due to the weight, JMM's age and that I believe Bradley is more versatile that I am choosing him. JMM is better when the other guy comes to him. When he has to force the action, he is not as effective. Plus I reckon Bradley can take his punches better than JMM can take Bradley's punches. Not that Bradley is a big hitter. He isn't. But he is used to fighting LWWs and WWs whereas JMM is not. Let's not kid ourselves about the Paq KO. That punch landed flush with Paq moving forward.

Everybody seems to talking about Marquez getting old over night, there's a big possibility that Bradley has aged terribly after his last fight, the guy still can't remember all of that fight. That's some serious damage.

I want Bradley to win purely because it's time the young guns started to beat the old guard, not sure it's a great sign that the majority of the big names are well into their 30's and beyond.

All Time Great wrote:I might be on my own here, as this board appears to look very favorably on Bradley's victory over Pacquiao (which for me was daylight robbery of the highest order)

they can view favorably of it all they like, but an official assessment of the fight ruled it a pacman victory. and anyone who allows boxing knowledge over their dislike for pacman or a sense of revenge for pacman being on the right end of a controversial win will have seen that pacman clearly outboxed Bradley that night and should have won by a UD.

We all know that experience is a MASSIVE part of the game hammer


Its all well and good having a young gun coming through but does that beat experience and timing?

No.

look at Cloud, Pascal, Ortiz etc ect all young and poweful fighters getting beat on pure experience and skill such as Mayweather, Hopkins.

JMM is a brilliant counter puncher with a chin to match anyone's . Combine that with EXPERIENCE and ring smarts and you have a terrific fighter that could match anyone at that weight bar Mayweather.

Think Bradley can nick this with his work rate

JMM looked powerful against Pac but to me he looked a lot slower and not as fitdue to the muscle on him

Bradley fought the wrong fight against Ruslan, but he got the W and the old bradley has a bad style for Marquez. He isn't a puncher but has quick hands, is super fit and moves well with both his upper body and his feet

Jmm has had a lot of fights and the way he fights, it takes a toll. He is a counter puncher, but he is an aggressive counter puncher and has been in a lot of tough fights, and I think that as long as bradley can withstand his power Tim can rack up enough points to get the win

Haven't seen the weigh in yet, but Sky Sports said in an article that Marquez looked worn. Any truth in that?

JMM will win this but with a big helping hand from the juice.

Marquez certainly looked flabbier than he did last time out in my opinion.

I think Bradley is a great fighter, he has proved it time and again. Whatever you say about the Pacquiao fight (I thought Pacquiao won very comfortably) he still did better than Pacquiaos previous opponents (apart from Marquez).

I think Bradley can win this, he certainly has the style to give Marquez problems. I really hope Marquez wins though.

Its going to be a great night, provided Bradley doesn't connect with his head.

I thought Marquez looked great on the scales, he looked the same as last time out. People keep bringing up the Pacquiao fight saying that Marquez looked slow, but his sole objective in that fight was to knock Pacquiao out, he wasn't looking for a decision. He clearly won the 3rd fight and knew he wasn't going to get the decision.

Bradley isn't a great fighter yet..........

Problem Bradley has tonight is he is fighting a 40 year old.......Apart from the bucks he is a no win situation........

Disagree. I am not hearing many people mention Marquez age. So long as Marquez doesn't just fold, I think Bradley gets credit for a win. Marquez is coming in high off his KO win over Manny.

No but when/If he looks below par......people will.........

Took Bradley at 5/4 for tonight. If it goes to points he will win on workrate I think. Would like to see Marquez win but for the moment I'm hoping Bradley wins. £80 riding on it  

what time is the fight scheduled to start?

hoping bradley pulls off the upset

Marquez is one of my favorite boxers of all time and hope he puts a well deserved LOSS on Bradleys record.

Has Loma fought yet. In a night club have had a skinful. Getting home for Bradley.

Don't think so, think he might be on next

Loma on now

Be surprised if this Cruz sees past halfway, he's getting mashed a bit here.

I'll eat those words, much better from Cruz

Whats hsppening

Cruz had a good 5th then got smashed in the 6th and stopped in the 7th

Juan Manuel Marquez will take this. He is just a better fighter.

SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW FROM HERE

If this goes the distance it'll be a tough one to score

Bradley looking at home here.

looks comfortable but not doing a great deal, all 3 rounds close

Spoiler:

Should probably spoiler this lads, just out of respect for anyone, especially since Adam can't spoiler the title until he sees this.

Put something further up, with Bradley vs JMM in title people should know there may be spoilers as well. Think Bradley is edging it but feel Marquez has the stopping power to get him out of there if he gets careless.

Sky got a right agenda for bradley here for some reason. Think jmm is slightly up here. Its close but cant see how Bradley is supposed to be so far up

Bradley is one awkward guy to fight