Photo by Kathy Willens/AP
Saturday, April 12, 2014, Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs) defends his WBO Welterweight title in a highly-anticipated rematch against Filipino icon, Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs).
Round By Round Boxing is proud to present the first edition of our ground-breaking collaboration with some of the best boxing sites, Twitter accounts and Instagram pages around.
Read on for Pacquiao vs. Bradley II predictions from Round By Round Boxing, Real Talk Boxing, EGO, Obsessed with Boxing and Bang Hard Boxing.
Don’t forget to let us know who you think will win on Saturday night!
Pacquaio vs. Bradley II will be shown live on HBO Pay-Per-View with all the undercard action beginning at 9 pm, EST/6 pm, PST.
Header photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Real Talk Boxing
Saturday night we think Tim Bradley will come out on top again.
Bradley will have too much speed and power for Pacquiao; plus, look how easy Bradley beat Juan Manuel Marquez and Marquez has always given Pacquaio problems.
Prediction: Bradley
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Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief, Round By Round Boxing
In my opinion, this rematch is very tough to call. Obviously, the first fight ended in controversy with the split-decision nod going to Timothy Bradley. I watched the fight three times and even when I was looking to give Bradley rounds for the sake of validating the argument that he won, I could only find five rounds at most that could go his way. I don’t believe there is any way Bradley won the first fight against Manny Pacquiao eight rounds to four, which is what he is now claiming. Having said all that, I think Bradley has a very good chance to defend his title on Saturday night. But, I also think that Pacquiao will be as hungry as ever and look to prove that his “fire” is still there. I think Pacquiao will look to make something impressive happen early on and like he has been saying, his work rate should be high. Bradley will have to weather that early storm from Pacquiao to stand a chance and if he can, my prediction will certainly be wrong. But, I see Pacquiao having success throwing punches in bunches and winning a comfortable unanimous decision.
Prediction: Pacquiao
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer, Round By Round Boxing
Timothy Bradley will win this fight like he did the first time. I feel like Bradley, even in their first bout, was always the slicker and much smarter boxer. Pacquiao’s illogical aggressiveness is just eye candy to some folks. In this bout, Pacquiao will just try too hard to impose his authority in the ring to only get out boxed for the night. Bradley by decision.
Prediction: Bradley
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer, Round By Round Boxing
In their first encounter in 2012, Manny Pacquiao–while he did take time off in certain rounds and failed to put Timothy Bradley on the canvas–thoroughly dominated that fight and should have gotten a unanimous-decision victory. Since that fight, Pacquiao was brutally knocked out by his long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez and pitter pattered his way to an easy win over an over matched and much slower Brandon Rios. I believe that Bradley–through his tough triumphs over Marquez and Ruslan Provodnikov–got better as a fighter and won back some confidence and respect in the boxing world. Bradley slipped a few times in the first fight due to not wearing socks and later said that his feet were sliding around in his shoes during the fight, which subsequently caused injuries to his feet and ankles. If Bradley can get through this fight with two healthy feet I believe he can beat Pacquiao. After going toe-to-toe with the relentless Provodnikov and withstanding his barrage and out counter punching a counter puncher in Marquez, there isn’t anything Bradley can’t do, or feels he can’t do. If Pacquiao fights in spurts and is reluctant to pull the trigger in finishing Bradley, he will not win this fight. Bradley wins by unanimous decision because he’s willing to do anything to win and Pacquiao is willing to do just enough to win and no longer has the killer instinct he once possessed.
Prediction: Bradley
Gabe Polanco, Staff Writer, Round By Round Boxing
In a confusing match up, Manny Pacquaio will get his shot to avenge his controversial defeat against Timothy Bradley. Confusing in a way, since Bradley won, but didn’t and Pacquaio lost, but didn’t also. Does Pacquaio go out and fight the same way as he did the first fight or does he stay true to his promise and become more aggressive and bring out the Pacquaio of old? Or will the experience that Bradley gained that fateful summer night in 2012 be the deciding factor in overcoming the “Pride of the Philippians?” Do both men realize their imperfections and try to correct them, or will the boxing gods forsake us again with another controversial decision? I personally think it’s do or die for Pacquaio, as many people have already questioned his commitment to the sport. This isn’t just a championship fight for Pacquaio, it’s a fight for his future, his current standing and most importantly, his legacy. I think it’s all too much for the “Desert Storm” as I have Pacquaio winning by KO late, late in the fight.
Prediction: Pacquiao
Brendan Montenegro, Sr. Corespondent, Round By Round Boxing
This fight is definitely tough to judge. Both fighter’s have something to prove. With Timothy Bradley stating he won the first fight eight rounds to four, he is out to show the world he will do it again. Manny Pacquiao on the other hand is out to prove the judges were wrong the first time and that age is nothing but a number. At the end of the day, neither one of them will get knocked out, but it will be one hell of a fight. I’m giving the edge to Pacquiao seven rounds to five.
Prediction: Pacquiao
Gino Garcia, Founder/Owner of Bang Hard Boxing
Staff Writer, Round By Round Boxing
The rematch of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley is long overdue. I don’t see the strategies for either fighter mimicking that of the first fight. I do however think that strategy is the key to victory. Although I do give Bradley the edge in the technical fight, I don’t think it’s realistic to think that he will be able to avoid Pacquiao’s power combinations for too long. I will give this fight five rounds in favor of Pacquiao by knockout.
Prediction: Pacquiao
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Jordan Echavez, Founder/Owner of Obsessed with Boxing
Contributing Writer, Round By Round Boxing
I’m gonna go with a slightly controversial split decision for Pacquiao. With all the attention the judges got from their first fight, I have a feeling the judges will give Pacman any close rounds so Bradley will have to clearly dominate or get a knock out…plus if Manny wins, Top Rank can attempt to squeeze a 3rd bout between these two. I thought Manny won the first time in a close fight but These aren’t the same two fighters that faced each other 2 years ago. A whole lot on the line this weekend for both fighters. May the best man win.
Prediction: Pacquiao
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EGO, Founder/Owner
This is very hard for me to pick because it’s a 50/50 fight to me. Manny Pacquiao has the superior power, a granite chin and tons of experience. I feel Pacquiao won the first fight. However, for this prediction, I am picking Timothy Bradley to win via 12-Round unanimous decision or split decision. I think since the first fight Bradley has been on the incline, learned a lot and evolved. Pacquiao has always struggled with the thinking type of pure boxers. If you are a stationary target and you try to go heads up with Pacquiao you will get destroyed. I think Bradley brings a lot of animosity for how his first “win” was received by the public, so I think he will box a smart fight like he did with Juan Manuel Marquez. It’s a very close fight and I’m anxious to see if Pacquiao tries to overwhelm him early with his power, angles and combos, which spells trouble for Bradley. Or if Bradley chooses to try to bang it out like he did with Ruslan Provodnikov, he will get stopped. Other than that I look forward to a competitive fight with Bradley weathering an early storm, using movement with 2 good feet, making Pacquiao miss and frustrating him. We shall see.
Prediction: Bradley
