By Gerardo Granados: Next April 12 at Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) the defending WBO belt holder Timothy Ray Bradley Jr. aka Desert Storm (W31-L0-D0) will defend his strap against former multiple division champion Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao aka Manny Pacman Pacquiao (W55-L5-D2), but why is it that this fight should be relevant? Is it a matter of pride or is it simply that this is a fight that fits Pacman to look good? In their first bout the fight judges saw Bradley win but after a review the WBO stated Pacquiao had won but they didn’t gave back the belt; there is no doubt that Pacman clearly won the fight so why a rematch?
Desert Storm barely survived the Siberian Rocky Ruslan Provodnikov proving to have a champion heart, and then snatched a close victory against an aging but still dangerous and experienced lion Juan Manuel Marquez. But why is it that a direct rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley wasn’t ordered? Maybe it was because it was very clear it had been a robbery of the year award nominee. So, why is it that now this fight should be relevant?
After been robbed of a legit win, Manny lost via brutal knockout against longtime nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, then after a long layoff Pacquiao defeated a tailor made light welter brawler Brandon Rios. And now he is awarded the chance to dispute the WBO welterweight championship, it is not a surprise at all because in the past he has been allowed to dispute the WBC light middleweight championship without even have been ranked in the division.
Is it time for Pacquiao to engage a highly ranked natural welterweight instead of keep on been avoiding top division contenders. I really miss that ferocious fighter that would engage rivals looking for to knock them out, I can’t recall the last time that I saw the fire in his eyes; yes there is still is the speed and movement but where is the hunger and determination to destroy his rival? What happen to the Pacman that hit Marquez while Juan Manuel was down in his first bout?
Bradley wasn’t able to hurt or outbox Pacman in their first meeting; Pacquiao edges Desert Storm with power, speed, mobility and experience. Meanwhile Bradley´s edge might be his determination to win his heart and hunger. But why is it that the betting odds are very close? Could it be that Bradley has matured into a more complete boxer or is it that the bettors still have doubts on how Pacquiao will perform against a younger athletic boxer that can fight from ring bell to ring bell for the twelve rounds? Or is it that the rematch will take place practically two years after?
I believe motivation can bring a mountain down. Can these fighters find better motivation than proving detractors wrong? Well a friend of mine believes it is pride the reason why Bradley is fighting Pacquiao for a second time, but what about the reader?
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