Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez are set do battle in a ring in Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center come October and the fight has created an apparent anomaly. One fighter is the WBO welterweight champion. That same fighter is undefeated and yet he is the underdog. Bradley still has the gift decision over Manny Pacquiao that gave him his title and kept his record perfect hanging over his head. Pacquiao clearly beat Bradley, but Bradley was awarded the decision. Bradley’s only fight since that June 2012 showing was a slugfest unanimous decision over Ruslan Provodnikov. Bradley showed heart in the contest, surviving the first and second rounds and getting knocked down in the 12th round.
Like Bradley, Marquez’s last time in the ring was a memorable one as well. Fighting Pacquiao for the fourth time, Marquez finally got a victory over his rival. He knocked Pacquiao out in chilling fashion in the sixth round. This came on the heels of losing twice and drawing to Pacquiao. The win sent Marquez’s record to 55-6-1 with 40 of those win by K.O. Marquez has improved his physique at the age of 39 and he will be 40 when he meets Bradley. He looked amazingly in shape in the win over Pacquiao. He also won the WBO junior welterweight in April of 2012. Marquez is seeking to become the first Mexican fighter to win championships in five divisions.
If Bradley is going to beat Marquez, it would be surprising if it is by knockout. Of his 30 victories, only 12 are by knockout. His eighth round stoppage of Joel Casamayor is his only sign of power in his last 13 fights, though he did bust up the face of Provodnikov. Bradley is going to have to outbox Marquez. He will have to use his jab effectively and pick good spots to come over the top with his right hand. If he has Marquez reeling, he also has a great left hook that could inflict more damage. Bradley will also have to be aware of Marquez’s power.
The elder Marquez now brings a lot of power to the table, just ask Pacquiao. Bradley likes to be aggressive. That could set up Marquez for his counter right hand, the same one he used to floor Pacquiao. Throughout his career Marquez has been known as a counter puncher who could change the tempo of fights with his combinations. Will that Marquez show up or will he rely strictly on his power against Bradley? It could be troublesome to rely strictly on his power, because Bradley has shown that he can take a beating and get up from knockdowns. Marquez might have to win his share of the exchanges if he wants to win the fight.
Marquez is the favourite and is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Bradley is still looking for the respect from the public. He can get that by beating Marquez. Marquez can get a historic fifth division title by beating him.
Juan Manuel Marquez v Timothy Bradley Odds - Juan Manuel Marquez v Timothy Bradley Betting
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