Comments Thread For: Tim Bradley Confirms Placement Atop 140-Pounds, But(t)...

[Pittbullj]

You're the one who saw a different fight from almost everyone else (including the judges). Of course movement is a part of boxing. But movement without landing effective punches renders that movement useless. Devon wasn't moving to set up his punches he was moving due to the relentless pressure Bradley was putting on him. He was moving because Bradley was hitting him cleanly all night. I've seen many Bradley fights (as well as Alexander fights) and have never seen him intentionally headbutt any fighter. He is an aggressive fighter who comes forward and pressures you. Unfortunately fighters who use this style often are involved in fights that can be marred by headbutts. Holyfield, Hagler and many other great fighters were called dirty because they fought coming forward. In tonight's fight Alexander was just as guilty for causing the butts as Tim. All of the butts were unintentional by both fighters tonight and were the result of Tim being a righty and Devon being a lefty. Headbutts occur frequently in such matchups. Additionally, Devon was bringing his head down to Tim's level when he threw his punches and also when he was clinching Tim he'd bring his head forward causing some of the clashing of the heads.

Bradley's punches didn't have to hurt Alexander (none of Alexander's hurt him) all they had to do was score. Tim clearly landed the harder, cleaner punches. Alexander's output was mediocre, he was scared to open up because that would allow Tim to get in close and tee off on him. When Alexander did try to make a stand and punch Bradley was evading nearly all his punches with his body movement/slipping. I don't feel either fighter is overrated. Devon has a lot more work to do, doesn't appear he performs well against pressure fighters (he barely beat Kotelnik). Devon seemingly had no gameplan (or just couldn't execute it) tonight. He doesn't seem to have a plan B or C if he can't outbox you. Devon still has a bright future but he simply didn't have the experience to win tonight. He needs to learn how to effectively counter pressure fighters and keep them off of him (esp. now since everyone knows this is the blueprint on beating him).

You come off as a major Alexander homer. I was completely unbiased and didn't care who won (although I was born in St Louis and would have liked to have see Alexander win). Try to be more objective. The better fighter won tonight. Tim is no worldbeater but he is clearly a better boxer than Devon at this point in their careers...

Nah Im no Alexander homer, not from St. Louis or anything like that. To be honest I maybe the most unbiased sports fan there is, let alone boxing. However, the judges cards weren't a total wash in favor of Bradley...97-93, 96-95, 98-93. Letterman had it 87-84 going into the 10th Merchant was more like me and the second judge having Bradley up a round. With one partial round scored, plus two remaining,it was by all means a close fight. Jim Lampley cited 4 previous bouts of Bradley's that ended with cuts due to headbutts. This would be number 5. Seems like a recurring theme. Its clear Bradley has a tendency much like Holyfield to use his head while throwing punches...check the initial cut, Bradley threw two left hooks the latter of which may have been looked at as on the break and the clearly followed it up by leaning his head in. This was in RD. 3, and wasn't even the first clash of heads.

To be quite honest the last butt that ended the fight might be the only you can say was caused by the clash of style (inside the southpaw/outside conventional) but that's one of several in the fight. As far a being rendered useless what good is it being labeled a pressure fighter if you cant hurt your opponent with whom you're pressuring. What made the Maidana/Khan fight so great was that Maidana was able to wear Khan down, hurting him by setting up a powerful right hand to the point which Khan could no longer throw combinations, thus rendering him useless. Luckily he escaped with a win... Bradley on the other hand, wasn't dominating him with his power shots, they may be good for 'oos and 'aahhs but you don't get extra points for them. Alexander was never slowed down from continuing his attempts at answering back.

My overall point is in showing my disappointment in watching what I thought was a close fight end in the fashion it did. I'm especially tired of seeing Bradley walk away victorious in another fight that was ended or somehow influenced by cuts due to headbutts. I specifically said that I wouldn't go as far as saying that he does this intentionally, I do, however, believe that he does know what he is doing. These are professional fighters, emphasis on fighters. These guys are crafty at what they do and there are such things as fighters knowing how to take advantage of using their huge head when dropping in a right hand or left hook or whatever(Andre Ward is guilty of this as well). I didn't make this up, HBO thought to make a point of it, Kevin Cunningham surely did. I believe the headbutts ultimately were what defined this fight, and that's nothing new to a Bradley fight.

On another note, I would have loved to see Alexander use his uppercut more. Could have changed the fight. Also Cunningham needs to do less chattering with everyone else and focus more on his fighter. Maybe Devon could benefit from a change in camp.

[GRANDSLAM]

I think this fight has confirmed who the number 1 fighter at 140 is................ and that's Amir Khan

[Left2theliver]

I wanted Devon to win. But I thought it was a smart gameplan on Bradley's part to smother him and close the distance ASAP. It really sucks the fight ended with a headbutt, but let's be real here. Intentional or unintentional the FACT is taht Devon Alexander QUIT. So that's that. Don't pretend that Bradley's headbutts KO'd him or anything, he quit...

[Kagami Taiga]

I think this fight has confirmed who the number 1 fighter at 140 is................ and that's Amir Khan

that makes no sense. he looked worse against maidana than bradley did against alexander and its not even close.

[serv]

This fight just proved that Bradley cannot fight without headbutting and Alexander is a quitter. Both fought like amatuers and both would get KTFO by Maidana and lose UD to Khan. Pacquiao would literally send both fighters to hospital like Hatton and Margarito.

I agree with everything the poster says here...

Both fighters fought like amateurs. What a shame...

[GRANDSLAM]

I think this fight has confirmed who the number 1 fighter at 140 is................ and that's Amir Khan

that makes no sense. he looked worse against maidana than bradley did against alexander and its not even close.

Maidana had one great round against Khan. Neither Bradley or Alexander had any good rounds between them last night, it was awful. And I'm a Bradley fan

[MissDeeCole]

what a kick in the balls that fight was. i was really proud to have convinced my friends to stay and watch that one with me. boxing has been a real let down lately.

[komandante]

Afro american fighters are just big mouths and nothing else, that's why we need a Manny Pacquiao to save boxing.

[Mr. Philadel]

Afro american fighters are just big mouths and nothing else, that's why we need a Manny Pacquiao to save boxing.

[LeadUppercut]

Good one. Certain people should have a bounty that you can collect.