PACQUIAO vs BRADLEY III PREDICTION

The keys to Pacquiao vs Bradley III are unique and usually only noticed by those who are behind the scenes or true boxing aficionados.  Similar examples to tonight's fight have happened previously:

Back in the early 90's, the late great Emanuel Steward worked the corner of Oliver McCall against Lennox Lewis.  He insisted that McCall throw the 3-2 which was the left hook+right hand.  He found a way to fit it in the early rounds and KO'd Lewis and took the victory.  The difference was the Coach.

When Lewis re-matched McCall, he hired Emanuel Steward to coach him.  Long story short, he humiliated McCall and reduced him to having a meltdown in the ring.  Lewis won due to McCall basically quitting in the ring.  Once again, the difference was the coach.

The difference in tonight's fight is Atlas.  Bradley is a good listener and an excellent student just like the great George Foreman.  The night Foreman defeated Michael Moorer, which was Teddy Atlas's fighter, it resulted in a devastating upset because Moorer was a top heavy weight and Foreman was allegedly "over the hill".  This particular evening Atlas was out-coached.  This fight proved to be a much needed redemption for Big George Foreman for the fight in which he lost to Ali in Zaire.

Can you see there is something special brewing here?

For tonight's fight, my head says Pacquiao but my heart says Teddy. Speed and power go to Pacquiao. Being guided through this storm using angles, timing and a boxing playbook, goes to team Bradley.  Teddy pulls off a Houdini act.

But remember, all of this means nothing if Pacquiao has learned how to make the necessary adjustments.  However, recent past has shown that this has not been the case.  Freddy Roach was on the record saying he built a game plan for 5 years to beat Mayweather.  That did not turn out so well.  So, from a coach's perspective, that was either a lesson learned or it is just proof that Roach has reached his peak in coaching.  After all, unlike a "teacher", a coach stays within the confines of what he knows.  A "teacher", on the other hand, never stops learning, discovering & bringing new ways to elevate their fighter.  We will soon find out.

There's something to be said about the Coach.  Even Mayweather changed coaches after being hit too much against Cotto showing even the best need the best coaching for their game.  Once the right coaching falls into place, the sky is the limit.

For my fight aficionados:
How do you see this match playing out now that all of the evidence is on the table?

Coach Eric A. Bradley

CEO Master Boxing LLC
Contributor ESPN Insider