By Michael Lieberman: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was apparently one of the few people that were impressed with WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley’s win over WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander (21-1, 13 KO’s) last Saturday night. Arum was so impressed with Bradley that he thinks Bradley has enough talent to beat WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s).
Frankly, I think Arum is kidding himself if he believes that the 5’6”, short, slow, and weak-punching Bradley will even be competitive with Khan. I didn’t see anything from Bradley’s performance against Alexander that makes me believe he could hang with Khan.
Bradley is dangerous, though, but only with his head. He clashed heads with Alexander all night long, and this wasn’t the first fight in which Bradley had this kind of problem. His lack of reach causes him to have to get really close and lean forward to land his punches. His head is often the first thing that comes forward before his arms.
In an article by writer Michael Marley at examiner.com, Bob Arum, the promoter for Manny Pacquiao, said “I am troubled, very troubled by his tendency to head butt his opponents,” Pacman’s promoter said on Sunday. “The frequency of the head butts is something he must change. I don’t think it’s anything Bradley does intentionally. I think Bradley is too tough a guy for Amir, that Khan has nothing to keep Bradley off of him. Khan has nothing to hurt Bradley with while he’s getting constant pressure.”
I disagree with Arum. I think Khan has a lot to keep Bradley off of him, and I think Bradley isn’t a big enough puncher to trouble Khan.
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