Power, weight could hamper Manny's foe

MANILA, Philippines - Timothy (Desert Storm) Bradley has two issues to address in preparing for his fight-of-a-lifetime against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 9 – power and weight. From all indications, Bradley has neither the strength nor the bulk to rattle Pacquiao who is making the fourth defense of the 147-pound title he won on a 12th round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in 2009. Pacquiao has not lost since dropping a decision to Erik Morales in 2005 and is unbeaten in his last 15 outings.

The undefeated Bradley has scored only 12 knockouts in 28 wins, a 42.9 percent rate.  In his last 10 bouts since 2007, Bradley has chalked up just a single win inside the distance over 40-year-old Joel Casamayor who wouldn’t stay down despite three trips to the canvas and “old age.”  It looked more like Casamayor lost his energy trying to make the weight the day before than he was hurt by Bradley’s blows.  Worse, he survived over seven rounds with Bradley even if he hardly showed any offense.  Casamayor was later tested positive for marijuana.  

In 2007, Bradley decked Mexico’s Manuel Garnica once in the second round and twice in the fourth but had to settle for a win by a unanimous eight-round decision.  Bradley just couldn’t finish off Garnica who had been halted twice before.  That’s a clear indication of his lack of a shock-punch.

In contrast, Pacquiao’s knockout rate is 70.4 percent with 38 stoppages in 54 wins.  The last time Pacquiao faced a 140-pounder in 2009, he flattened Ricky Hatton in two rounds.

Bradley, 28, holds the WBO lightwelterweight crown. He recently claimed a walking weight of 160 pounds and said he’ll enter the ring heavier than Pacquiao.  But in six of his last eight fights, Bradley weighed in less than 140.  Only thrice in his career has Bradley tipped the scales at over 145 – when he outpointed Justo Almazan at 146 in 2005, when he stopped Alfonso Sanchez at 146 1/2 in 2006 and when he decisioned Argentina’s Luis Carlos Abregu at 147 in 2010.  In fact, Bradley weighed no more than 143 in figuring in three WBC Youth welterweight championship bouts in 2005-06.

What makes Bradley dangerous is he’s hungry for recognition.  He’s won WBC and WBO titles in only the 140-pound class.  Bradley has a long way to go in even coming close to duplicating Pacquiao’s record feat of capturing eight world titles in eight divisions. Also, Bradley has never tasted defeat and like Floyd Mayweather Jr., his claim to fame is an unblemished record – which he hopes to preserve at Pacquiao’s expense.

In three of his last four bouts, Bradley repulsed previously undefeated Lamont Peterson, Abregu and Devon Alexander. The closest Bradley has been to losing was when he scored a split 12-round decision over Junior Witter in Nottingham in 2008 but he obviously deserved a clear-cut win as the Englishman was even floored by an overhand right in the sixth.

Without power and weight, Bradley will find it difficult to stave off Pacquiao – no matter his perfect record.  He just won’t be able to intimidate the Filipino icon into fighting with less resolve.

It’s been Bradley’s dream to battle Pacquiao. He pulled out of a unification showdown with then-WBA lightwelterweight champion Amir Khan last July for the chance to join the Top Rank stable and get a shot at Pacquiao.  Bradley was sued by promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson for the withdrawal.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach isn’t impressed by Bradley whose fight against Casamayor was his first in Las Vegas.  But Bradley is determined to shock the world on June 9. Apparently, he was Top Rank’s first option to meet Pacquiao if Mayweather wouldn’t step up to the plate.

 “Top Rank has put Bradley front and center,” wrote Chris Mannix of SI.com.  “They involved him in social media and pushed him to start a website.  They made him the co-feature in Pacquiao’s defense against (Juan Manuel) Marquez and have made no secret that if a deal with Mayweather can’t be made, Bradley is next in line.”

Bradley said he’ll make the most out of his chance for fame and fortune.  “I don’t fear Pacquiao,” said Bradley who is guaranteed $5 Million to Pacquiao’s $25 Million for the bout.  “I’m ready for anyone.  The sky is the limit.  People say I don’t deserve a shot at Pacquiao.  I want to prove all the criticism wrong.  Everybody should know who I am.  I deserve a spot in the ring against Pacquiao.”