The View From V2 Magazine April 2014 | Page 20

THE VIEW'S BOXING REVIEW

APRIL

The fight kicked off with both fighters trying to find their feet and feel each other out with the jab, but it didn't take long before both went at it hammer and tong. Round two driving the crowd into a frenzy with Pacquiao landing an impressive series of blows to Bradley's head.

Rounds three and four where much of the same with Bradley and Pacquiao willing to trade leather in the middle of the ring, much to the crowd's delight. Both fighters having equal success but Bradley's tactics just seemed wrong as on a power shoot out, Manny just looked like he was landing the harder shots of the two.

Round five and six saw Bradley increase the workrate and pull himself back into the contest by marginally winning both rounds, but for what this achieved, I believe became his downfall.

As the rounds ticked on, it was clear that Bradley had lost his va va voom (so to speak), this was a bit hard to grasp considering the tremendous shape in which he came to the fight in.

Rounds seven to ten where clear Pacquiao rounds, with continuous flurries landing on Bradley but a lot of Bradley's being either brushed off or dodged by the Filipino legend. Bradley being taken to the ropes a lot of the time with at times 8-10 punch combinations being delivered upon him. Bradley did have his successes when going to the body of

The last round saw both fighters trading shots once again, but for me it was Tim who came off second best once again and Pacquiao's footwork just bringing him out of ranch from Bradley's shots.

Fantastic fight and personally I had the fight scored 117-111 but could maybe see how others would have gave Bradley a few early rounds. But the decision could not be disputed this time.

Now, what comes next.....

Another pointless fight against Marquez? A pointless fight against Alvarado? Well this is what Bob Arum is going to try and feed the fans out there.

A fight against Provodnikov would be fun to watch, but only if held at 140lb where the Siberian is currently a World Champion.

Pacquiao vs Bradley 2

By Damien McKinley

So they squared off again and this time there was no doubt who the winner was.

Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) took the decision on all three judges scorecards and had people once again clamouring for the fight that still seems as far away now as it ever has.....against Floyd Mayweather Junior.

First of all it is hard to tell whether Manny “won” the fight or Tim Bradley (31-1, 12 KOs) “lost” it, if you know what I mean. Bradley in his previous fight against Juan Manuel Marquez fought an excellent tactical battle. That however was not the case in this fight, as it seemed like this rematch had really hit a nerve with the Palm Springs native.

Pacquiao, but this just seemed to spear Manny on each time and the higher work rate was as clear as day from Manny.

Round eleven was a tight affair with both fighters output dropping ever so slightly. To me, Manny slightly gave the round away. Maybe this was to take a breather, but nevertheless he was streets ahead by this stage.