Matchmaking is everything. Let that line sink in a little.
No matter how well you perform your craft, your opponents dictate how well you look. This is not just true of boxing, but of every professional sport. More to the point, poor opposition is less equipped to deal with offensive firepower than defensive prowess. The NBA or NFL's best offensive teams will always look more impressive against weaker opponents than the best defensive teams do.
So naturally, an explosive, offensive-minded fighter like Manny Pacquiao has looked his best when fighting opponents with flaws that accentuate his strengths. If your chin is suspect or you possess no means of neutralizing speed, you might as well not even show up. Or you could show up and spend 12 rounds tucked in a turtle shell like Joshua Clottey did.
There are certain skill sets that bring out the worst in Pacquiao----most famously, that of Juan Manuel Marquez, who does not have a win against Pacquiao, despite arguably having three wins against him (I reckon that Floyd Mayweather possesses another). Though he fights much differently than Marquez or Mayweather, Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Timothy Bradley is stepping up to the welterweight division to show the world if he, too, possesses a skill set that can neutralize the greatness of Pacquiao.
Bradley brings elements to the fight that Pacquiao has not encountered in a long time. He is a relentless bulldog who is in his prime, young, and undefeated. Most importantly, he recognizes the opportunity at hand. Whereas some of Pacquiao's most recent opponents simply showed up for a payday, Bradley is unlikely to retreat into survival mode. For better or for worse, he is going to bring the fight to Pacquiao, looking for the life-changing victory. From a fan's standpoint, that is all you can ask of a 3-1 underdog.
Bradley has his flaws, and it is necessary to recognize them before the fact. Despite his apparent body strength, Bradley is not a knockout puncher. He will not keep Pacquiao off him with his power alone, but unfortunately, he also does not throw combinations with the commitment that Marquez does. Making matters worse, Bradley looked unimpressive in his lone fight at welterweight against Luis Carlos Abregu in 2010.
HBO's Max Kellerman describes Bradley as a fighter with B to B-plus attributes across the board, with A+ heart and determination. He also has a forehead that has been known to do its fair share of damage, especially to southpaws. Will that be enough to beat Pacquiao?
Possibly. The more important question is: will that be enough to win against Pacquiao? As a potential Mayweather fight continues to hang in limbo, the chances are unlikely.
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