By John F. McKenna (McJack): Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KO’s) remains confident that he can defeat Filipino icon WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s), although he is wary of the power Manny has in his left hand. Bradley and Pacquiao will clash on June 9 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Bradley was quoted by ABS CBSnews.com saying:

“The only thing Pacquiao has going for him is his left hand. If you eliminate that there is nothing else. I’m not worried about the right hook at all. He’s trying to develop it I see but the left hand you just have to avoid it. There’s power in that left hand.”

Bradley went on to say that the key to surviving against “Pacman” is to avoid his left hand. Despite acknowledging the power in Manny’s left hand, “Desert Storm” believes that he can avoid being hit with it by being quick on his feet. Bradley believes that his footwork will prevent him from being hit flush by Pacquiao’s left hand, adding he can’t hit what’s not there.

Bradley’s words expressing confidence in his own ability seem to be an over simplification of what he will be facing on June 9, particularly the comment that if you eliminate Manny’s left hand there is nothing else. It’s almost as if Timothy is attempting to convince himself that he can defeat Pacquiao and is making it sound easier than it really is.

It’s easy to see why a fighter in Bradly’s position would want to think that all he has to do is solve the riddle of Pacquiao’s power laden left hand when he fights him on June 9. But it would be a fatal flaw to over simplify the task in front of him. Although “Desert Storm” refuses to admit it Manny’s method of attack, the speed of his punches and his power in both hands should not be overlooked in what will be the biggest fight of his career.

It sounds to some extent that Bradley is engaging in wishful thinking if he deludes himself into believing he can defeat Pacquiao simply by eliminating his left hand. “Pacman” at this stage of his career is more than just a one armed fighter. Despite his poor showing against Juan Manuel Marquez, a fight many boxing pundits thought he lost.

Pacquiao should not at this stage of his career be underestimated. He was not chosen fighter of the year three times and fighter of the decade simply because he is a nice guy. The boxing writers who picked him for those awards saw something other than a fighter who could be defeated by removing one of the weapons in his arsenal.