Saturday night’s fight between “Dinamita” Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (30-0-0, 12 KOs) will be one of the biggest matchups in the sport this year.
With both fighters riding victories over legendary champion Manny Pacquiao, this bout will be a great test to determine which of these athletes is superior in the ring.
Marquez has the experience, but Bradley has the speed.
There is so much on the line in this WBO Welterweight Championship matchup, and these are the keys to a win for each man.
Where: Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, at 9 p.m. ET
Watch: HBO PPV (US)/Sky Sports (UK)/Main Event PPV (AUS)
Marquez’s Key to Victory: Patience
At 40 years old and as a veteran of more than 60 professional fights, Juan Manuel Marquez will not be surprised in the ring. While Bradley’s game plan will be to push the pace, Marquez must fight his defensive style and stick to it throughout the night.
The Mexican champion was not always known as a great defensive fighter, but as his hands have slowed with age, he has adapted, improving his ability to avoid as much punishment as possible.
With a great defense comes a great offense, and Marquez showed that with his counterpunch knockout of Pacquiao. If Bradley rushes in and leaves an opening, the American could wind up facedown on the mat.
Marquez must stay patient and use his experience to force Bradley to be overaggressive and make mistakes. Once the window of opportunity opens, Marquez must use his power to make the challenger pay.
Bradley’s Key to Victory: Speed
There is no doubt that Marquez has the definitive experience edge, but that can only get a fighter so far in the ring. With Timothy Bradley possessing elite speed unmatched by many in the sport, that will be his key to victory.
Bradley doesn’t possess one-punch knockout power, but the speed of his hands and feet is just as dangerous. Not only will he keep Marquez off balance with his footwork, but the constant barrage of punches from every angle will also take their toll on Marquez.
The Mexican champion will be fighting from a defensive position for most of this bout, but Bradley will be doing everything in his power to get the veteran to abandon his game plan.
If the American’s speed forces Marquez out of his defensive mindset, Bradley will walk out Saturday night with the victory.
Main Event Prediction
This is the ultimate test of age and experience vs. youth and speed, and the fight between Bradley and Marquez could go either way.
The deciding factor will be how long Marquez can stay with his game plan before falling into Bradley’s trap and hoping on the offensive. If Marquez can use his counterpunching early to stifle the constant attacks of Bradley, he will steal enough points early to win the fight by decision.
On the other hand, if Bradley rattles Marquez within the first six rounds with his speed and accuracy and forces him out of the defensive mindset, this fight will favor the American.
The most likely outcome is that Bradley barely does enough to earn the split-decision win, and boxing fans across the world complain about the judges. As if there was any other way.
Final Prediction: Bradley wins via split decision.
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