Both Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez scored the biggest wins of their respective careers against the great Manny Pacquiao. It's safe to say it was a remarkably different experience for each man.
For Bradley, what should have been a career-defining moment in June 2012, the kind of win a fighter dreams about, quickly devolved into a nightmare. Of the millions who watched his bout with Pacquiao, it seemed only three people in the world saw it for Bradley—two of the ringside judges and, at least in public, the fighter himself.
Like that, a joyous occasion turned ugly. Death threats followed. Worse were the thoughts of suicide and a deep, dark depression that haunted Bradley for months. When he returned, it was in a slugfest with Ruslan Provodnikov, a desperate, dangerous and glorious fight designed to bring him back into fans' good graces. He walked away the winner but paid a horrible price.
For Marquez, it was the capstone of a Hall of Fame career. Three times, at least according to the judges, if not public sentiment, Marquez had come up short against Pacquiao. The fourth time, however, was the charm.
Marquez allowed none of the doubts that plagued the Bradley fight to creep into his own victory. A right cross with a single second remaining in the sixth round allowed no ambiguity. Pacquiao wasn't beaten in a narrow decision. He was face-first on the canvas.
Now Manny's conquerors will do battle themselves Saturday night in Las Vegas. For Bradley, it's a chance to prove he's no fluke. For Marquez, there is nothing left to prove. At 40, he's fighting for pride and money alone. His legacy has long been secure.
How do they match up? Who will win? How can you see the fight? Join me on this journey and we'll explore these things and more. It's everything you need to know to really make the most out of the night.
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