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This post is taken from a thread in ESB, but with under a week to go, I thought it would be relevant to bring it up here. This is how I believe Bradley can have some success against Pacquiao :good
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Bradley doesn't have the power to hurt Pacquiao, he also doesn't have the power to wear him down IMO. It's a tough one for Bradley because he has to outwork a very good worker.
My first point to be made has already been laid out word for word...
At long range, as was mentioned above, Bradley needs to be circling left, trying to make Pacquiao miss with the straight left. At this distance, Pacquiao can get in to a rhythm and use his very fast footwork to create angles to land powerful shots. Bradley doesn't necessarily need to match Pacquiao in terms of speed in this area, but he shouldn't be offering Pacquiao a stationary target at any point in this bout at this distance. Once he sees Pacquiao preparing to go on one of his 'fast feet' assaults (which is easier said than done) which he routinely does, he needs to be moving...otherwise you can get caught up in it all, and before you know it, you have been hit with 6-7 shots without having the chance to reply.
At this distance, Bradley should be mixing it up by leading, feinting, and countering. Leading with the jab, try make Pacquiao bite, then reply with 2-3 shots. He should be feinting using both hand, foot and body movement, making Pacquiao either take the bait, or allowing himself to get in to a position were Pacquiao puts up his high guard and allows not only Bradley to close the distance and reach the inside, but also allows free reign for him to unload on Pacquiao (it is workrate that will be his best chance at winning this bout). I also wouldn't mind seeing Bradley attempt to mix up his movement as Pacquiao attacks at this range. Instead of just circling to the left, try to time (again, easier said than done) Pacquiao's offense, mainly the double jab-straight left, and put himself in a position on the outside of Pacquiao's left, giving him a much larger target to attack Pacquiao. Marquez did this very successfully, not sure Bradley can do this though.
Now, although the above seems like I would like to see Bradley fight Pacquiao at long range...I wouldn't. Bradley has to outwork Pacquiao to win this bout, he will not get the decision on points IMO if he doesn't make it clear that he is outworking/roughing/pushing Pacquiao back. Bradley main gameplan should be to take the fight to Pacquiao at short, mixing it up with long range.
The problem Bradley has is, Pacquiao is the best mid-range boxer in the world, this is where he hurts people, this is where he throws shots that his opponents don't see...in turn making it a difficult task for Bradley to get to short range. IMO Bradley has to combine the points I stated in my description of his boxing at long range, combine that with plenty of lateral movement, head movement, parrying, blocking, very tight guard...just to get on the inside, all whilst circling to the left. Bradley should not think he can just put his head down and charge straight on to Pacquiao's chest to do work. He will be knocked out, that's as close to fact as you can get. Never stop moving, plenty of feinting of hand and foot...if he can get inside, throw, throw, and throw some more, Pacquiao is not the best in this area. Jab, uppercut (Marquez) followed by a straight right-left hook is an example of the type of attacks Bradley should be using, followed by plenty of body work. But that doesn't mean he still can't catch Bradley with something using his feet to escape the area and leave Bradley in a vulnerable position.
Bradley has to be in great condition to keep this up over 12. I favour Pacquiao by stoppage though.
_______________________________________________________
Bradley doesn't have the power to hurt Pacquiao, he also doesn't have the power to wear him down IMO. It's a tough one for Bradley because he has to outwork a very good worker.
My first point to be made has already been laid out word for word...
The two distances Bradley needs to be fighting at are long and short range, the latter requiring more thinking and caution.
At long range, as was mentioned above, Bradley needs to be circling left, trying to make Pacquiao miss with the straight left. At this distance, Pacquiao can get in to a rhythm and use his very fast footwork to create angles to land powerful shots. Bradley doesn't necessarily need to match Pacquiao in terms of speed in this area, but he shouldn't be offering Pacquiao a stationary target at any point in this bout at this distance. Once he sees Pacquiao preparing to go on one of his 'fast feet' assaults (which is easier said than done) which he routinely does, he needs to be moving...otherwise you can get caught up in it all, and before you know it, you have been hit with 6-7 shots without having the chance to reply.
At this distance, Bradley should be mixing it up by leading, feinting, and countering. Leading with the jab, try make Pacquiao bite, then reply with 2-3 shots. He should be feinting using both hand, foot and body movement, making Pacquiao either take the bait, or allowing himself to get in to a position were Pacquiao puts up his high guard and allows not only Bradley to close the distance and reach the inside, but also allows free reign for him to unload on Pacquiao (it is workrate that will be his best chance at winning this bout). I also wouldn't mind seeing Bradley attempt to mix up his movement as Pacquiao attacks at this range. Instead of just circling to the left, try to time (again, easier said than done) Pacquiao's offense, mainly the double jab-straight left, and put himself in a position on the outside of Pacquiao's left, giving him a much larger target to attack Pacquiao. Marquez did this very successfully, not sure Bradley can do this though.
Now, although the above seems like I would like to see Bradley fight Pacquiao at long range...I wouldn't. Bradley has to outwork Pacquiao to win this bout, he will not get the decision on points IMO if he doesn't make it clear that he is outworking/roughing/pushing Pacquiao back. Bradley main gameplan should be to take the fight to Pacquiao at short, mixing it up with long range.
The problem Bradley has is, Pacquiao is the best mid-range boxer in the world, this is where he hurts people, this is where he throws shots that his opponents don't see...in turn making it a difficult task for Bradley to get to short range. IMO Bradley has to combine the points I stated in my description of his boxing at long range, combine that with plenty of lateral movement, head movement, parrying, blocking, very tight guard...just to get on the inside, all whilst circling to the left. Bradley should not think he can just put his head down and charge straight on to Pacquiao's chest to do work. He will be knocked out, that's as close to fact as you can get. Never stop moving, plenty of feinting of hand and foot...if he can get inside, throw, throw, and throw some more, Pacquiao is not the best in this area. Jab, uppercut (Marquez) followed by a straight right-left hook is an example of the type of attacks Bradley should be using, followed by plenty of body work. But that doesn't mean he still can't catch Bradley with something using his feet to escape the area and leave Bradley in a vulnerable position.
Bradley has to be in great condition to keep this up over 12. I favour Pacquiao by stoppage though.
