Following a victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in October, Timothy Bradley finds himself sitting atop the welterweight rankings, with all roads leading to him unless Floyd Mayweather Jr. comes back down in weight. It has been difficult nailing down who he will face next, but a match with the winner of Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios makes sense.
Bradley owns a victory over Manny Pacquiao, but it is well known that the win is somewhat of a black mark on "Desert Storm's" resume. Most boxing observers agree that Bradley was the recipient of fortunate judging in that bout, and actually was beaten by Pacman.
Now, he's dispensing advice to the hungry Rios, who has said to Pacquiao's face he plans on forcing him into retirement. He is very difficult to hit at times too because he is always angling out. He's coming in, he's out, he's angling out to the right or to the left. That's what Brandon Rios should expect," Bradley said.
"He shouldn't expect Pacquiao to come right at him. He is going to have to expect a lot of angles in this fight. And expect Pacquiao to come right back too ... he has to have really good defense after he punches. I know Rios can take a punch but this is not Mike Alvarado - he is facing Manny Pacquiao who has speed and power."
Bradley went on to predict a Pacquiao victory. "I've got Manny Pacquiao by a mid to late round KO. Eight rounds." Should Pacquiao defeat Rios in knockout fashion, he and his trainer Freddie Roach are hoping Floyd Mayweather Jr. will take notice and finally face his greatest rival.
In actuality, though, it is more likely that Pacquiao winds up in a rematch with Bradley in which he will seek vengeance for his apparently undeserved loss. Prior to the Marquez matchup, Bradley said he was open to facing Pacman again down the line.
"If Manny Pacquiao can beat Brandon Rios in November than maybe we can have our rematch after that fight."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.