By Yannis Mihanos: In less than a week the long awaited rematch between People’s favorite champ Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley will take place at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada.
Since the announcement of the fight a lot has taken place from both sides. The memories from the first in 2012 are very much alive. That’s because of the controversial ending of that fight: Bradley won by a decision that the judges gifted to him. It was a shameful night for boxing. Unfortunately such results occur quite often in boxing and that’s where it takes its bad reputation.
Bradley in recent photos is appearing very muscular in his development. Will that make a difference on his performance? I don’t think so. He was also very muscular developed in the first fight with Pacquiao. Many times fighters train hard at the gym but then in the ring look different. So surely he looks impressive but that I don’t think can play a major factor. Power doesn’t come only from the muscle. There are many elements that are required for a fight to be successful some of them are the following: Heart (will power and determination), lungs (stamina), speed, power, skill. These are in my opinion the top elements that a fighter must possess in order to win.
In recent videos Pacquaio has also been appearing training as hard as ever. His trainer Freddie Roach wants to make sure that Pac brings his killer instinct in to the ring. The expectation is high for this fight and there is too much at stake especially for Pac who still wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr someday. Bradley, even if he loses, there will still be interesting fights for him available (Ruslan Provodnikov-Bradley 2,Juan Manuel Marquez-Bradley 2) at 28 years old so there is still a lot of boxing left in him.
Then there is the redemption element: Bradley and Pacquiao have to prove something. Bradley that he is a real fighter and not a paper champ and Pacquiao that he still has the hunger to fight.
I expect from Bradley nothing more than the warrior he is, he will fight hard and take punishment with the hope that an opportunity might come and do the same like Marquez did with Pacquiao in their last encounter.
I expect from Pacquaio that he will take nothing for granted and fight according to the plan and if an opportunity will arise will take his chances and finish the fight.
So there is a lot of expectation for both. So next Saturday night I will sit on my couch and wait to see an entertaining encounter and may the best man win.
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