The experts weigh in on Bradley-Marquez
Andreas Hale, KnockoutNation.com
Timothy Bradley SD 12 Juan Manuel Marquez: I hate this fight. Reason being is I don’t know which Timothy Bradley is going to show up. Chances are, the Bradley that fought Ruslan Provodnikov has been locked away in a dark cellar and will not be allowed to come out and play against Juan Manuel Marquez.
That’s good for Bradley, because Marquez just loves for opponents to come at him, with Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis and, of course, Manny Pacquiao, being perfect examples. So the question becomes who will be the aggressor in this fight? Bradley does everything good, not great. Marquez is a superb counter-puncher.
But something in my gut tells me that Bradley is going to be tough to deal with over the course of 12 rounds. Bradley has a massive chip on his shoulder, and just seems to want this more. Not to say Marquez doesn’t, but after flattening Pacquiao, beating Bradley is more consolation than grand prize.
I expect Bradley to make this ugly with lots of infighting and stuffing Marquez’s attempts to counter early on. Marquez will adjust after being down on the cards early, but Bradley will have to be smart and stink out the final third of the fight to get the nod.
If it’s a war, I have to go with Marquez. But I think Joel Diaz and Bradley are smarter than that and will win a good, but relatively ugly fight.
Record: 3-0 [Klitschko TKO 7 Povetkin]
Keith Idec, The Record/BoxingScene.com
Juan Manuel Marquez SD 12 over Timothy Bradley: I would not be the least bit surprised if Tim Bradley won. The determined welterweight champion relishes playing the underdog role and always finds a way to win, even when he clearly loses. That said, I expect Juan Manuel Marquez to be just a little sharper and a little better than Bradley, despite the fact that he turned 40 in August.
It’ll be a very close fight full of impressive moments for both boxers. But the Ruslan Provodnikov fight had to have taken some sort of toll on Bradley. Marquez is well-rested, full of confidence following his career-defining win over Pacquiao and still such an effective counter-puncher that he’ll beat Bradley by just enough to get the decision.
Record: 14-4 [Mayweather UD 12 Alvarez]
Julian Johnson, guest/fan, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Juan Manuel Marquez KO Tim Bradley: I see the Juan Manuel Marquez versus Tim Bradley fight as more competitive now than one year ago not because Marquez has finally aged, but because Bradley left his prime in the ring last fight with Ruslan Provodnikov similar to the way Meldrick Taylor did during his loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Bradley even said he took some time to recover his faculties after the fight, which left him with slurred speech, for a time. I am slightly fearful for Bradley’s health, with him being in with a hard-hitting, counter-puncher like Marquez. I am predicting Marquez in a good competition that will last until Marquez gets him by late-round knockout.
Record: 1-1
Chis Mannix, Sports Illustrated.com
Juan Manuel Marquez W 12 Tim Bradley: Juan Manuel Marquez by decision over Tim Bradley.
Record: 2-0 [Mayweather UD 12 Alvarez]
Ryan Maquinana, CSNBAYAREA/BoxingScene.com
Tim Bradley W 12 Juan Manuel Marquez: This fight is as close to a pick ’em as we’ll see all year. Despite Juan Manuel Marquez’s recent power surge and Timothy Bradley’s new found taste for warfare, we might get a tactical affair on Saturday.
Marquez is the better counter-puncher and technician, but Bradley is also capable of controlling the pace with his superior speed and movement. In a fight that could go either way on the cards, I see Bradley narrowly outworking Marquez for his third consecutive and controversial decision win.
Record: 12-7 [Klitschko TKO 10 Povetkin]
Rich Marotta, KFI Radio, Los Angeles
Juan Manuel Marquez W 12 Tim Bradley: It’s an interesting puzzle of a fight depending almost entirely on how Tim Bradley approaches the bout. It is Tim who will determine how the fight is fought. He is quite versatile on how he can fight, and is adept at boxing and moving, or exchanging.
It is a lot better for Bradley if he chooses to move and pick his spots rather than slug it out it the way he did against Ruslan Provodnikov. Juan Manuel Marquez, himself, has the ability to adapt to either strategy, but he’ll find it markedly more difficult if Bradley boxes.
Movers give Marquez trouble. Freddie Norwood, Chris John, Derrick Gainer, and, of course Floyd Mayweather Jr. Those who come to JMM pay the price: Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis, and, to some extent, Manny Pacquaio. Should Tim want to slug and please the fans, it will be exciting, but he’ll play into Juan Manuel’s hands.
I think Bradley will choose a measured pace, and a simple boxing strategy. The fight will be competitive and close with both fighters matching skills. I see it more of a chess match than a punch-out. Marquez will have enough left in the tank to score a close, 12-round decision victory.
Record: 16-7 [Chavez Jr. TKO 10 Vera]
Tim Bradley W 12 Juan Manuel Marquez: I’m finding this one of the toughest fights to call all year. I think a lot depends on Tim Bradley’s approach. If he decides to fight aggressively, he leaves himself open to Juan Manuel Marquez counters which, not being the quickest of boxers, he’ll have a hard time avoiding.
Add to that the damage done by Ruslan Provodnikov, and it could end up being a Marquez stoppage win. If Bradley dials back his offense a little, then it becomes more of a chess match, and Bradley, if he’s clever, may be able to draw Marquez onto counters of his own.
Marquez is the more naturally skilled fighter, he is the more versatile fighter, and there have to be concerns about Bradley’s health. And yet, for some reason, with very little confidence indeed, I see Bradley following the right plan and coming away with a close and possibly controversial decision.
Record: 2-2 [Mayweather UD 12 Alvarez]