By Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo
28-year-old Timothy Ray Bradley, Jr. has been waiting for this opportunity his entire life. He may be fighting Manny Pacquiao for the first time ever, but for the Palm Springs resident, it's like finally getting together with a long lost friend.
Truth is, Bradley has been studying Pacquiao for years, anticipating that one day their paths will ultimately cross. It's the very reason why he turned down the possibility of sparring with the 8-Division World Champ more than two years ago. He didn't want to give neither Pacquiao, nor his trainer Freddie Roach a chance to scout him first hand.
Bradley is a student of the game. He obssesses in breaking down fighters, their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. It's something the current WBO light welterweight Champion and former two-time WBC light welterweight Champion takes pride in, and believes is his edge against any of his opponents.
"I knew Devon (Alexander) couldn't take pressure," Bradley told Kevin Davis of BoxingSocialist.com in an interview. "I waited on that Devon fight because I felt I could always beat him. I just closed the gap on him, because he needs space to work. If you give Devon space he will turn you all night long."
Bradley claims he has the same type of master plan to expose the Pac Man. "I'm going to expose some things, other fighters haven't done yet against Pacquiao," Bradley said, and added, "Pacquiao will be dethroned that night, and I do have a great plan."
Truth be told, Bradley will pose problems for Pacquiao, and should not be taken lightly. We all know what happened in Pacquiao's last fight, and reasons Pacquiao said for his unconvincing performance.
Then again, former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson did also say, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
