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

Beyond The Scale: What A Weigh-In Will Tell You

The first thing a weigh-in usually tells you about the fighters is if their timing of having a proper diet was either well planned or if they totally winged it.

If he winged it, he is not properly managed.  This goes for guys who are even on HBO. Trust me, you would be surprised how many unguided fighters are at the top of the sport who still lack proper sports nutrition along with possessing the knowledge of the art of cutting down to make weight.

If a fighter is spot on weight and does not look dried up, he definitely feels more confident due to his precise meal regimen.  This allows the fighter to go into the ring with a better sense of professionalism and focus.

When an experienced fighter like Pacquiao or Bradley come in dried up because the did not take the necessary precautions, that tells you that they are losing the passion for the preparation.  The edge once again goes to the one who has the will to sacrifice more for the victory.

The next thing that you can look for at a weigh-in is how the stare down goes.  Not only does turning away first mean you've lost the battle of concentration but you now have to win the first round.  This stays with the fighter even walking down the isle to the ring.  So when they say the weigh-in is just to see who made weight, that is not necessarily true.  A lot will be found out at weigh-in time.  Fighters know this.  Trainers know this.

Le'ts just say unofficially the weigh-in is truly round one of the fight.  The ring will soon tell the truth.  Pacquiao VS Bradley are total professionals as you can see from their weigh-in. The edge always goes to the one who was willing to do the little things.  A wise man once said, "You get out of it, what you put into it".  Pacquiao VS Bradley will show who has truly added enough to his game plan and who has been hiding from the truth.

Pacquiao weighed in at 145.5 lbs.  Bradley weighed in at 146.5 lbs.  

Think about what was just said and you do the math.

MB Sports Media

Boxing Aficionado 

Randolph B. Sugar

To see our fight prediction, check out:

ESPN INSIDER: PACQUIAO VS BRADLEY 3

Stay tuned for our post fight breakdown at:
MB SPORTS MEDIA: Master Boxing