Bradley deserves the criticism.

[FeFist]

I like Bradley as much as the next guy but let us be real about things. Individuals are touting him as a top 10 pound for pound fighter yet he was put on ***** street by some no mark. I don't want to take anything away from Provodnikov as he fought his heart out and did what any underdog should do but I'd be telling people a point blank lie if I said ''You know what he's better than I expected'' because he wasn't. He looked like a limited who would be easily outboxed/broken down by the elite of the sport.

And there lies the problem. All boxers with a reputation would be criticised for winning in a dominant fashion against the likes of Provodnikov. Canelo is never given a break, Marquez was criticised for his routine win against Fedchenko, Donaire v Nishioka, Martinez v Barker.... the list goes on. Other fighters are getting slated for looking a class apart when they deal with the likes of ( or in some cases superior opponents to Provodnikov) yet people want to get up in arms for slating Bradley after a life and death performance?

In the end he showed his metal but it should never have gone so far.

[DARKSEID]

Guy's been through a lot, especially after the whole thing with Pacquiao.

People in NSB always judge a guy from his last fight and ignore everything else.

All Bradley had to do was give Ruslan some movement, but instead he chose to stand his ground. He was obviously trying to prove something.

Ruslan's footwork is garbage. He'll be torn apart by anyone with movement.

[-PBP-]

Bradley can't win. If he boxed like he did in the middle rounds he would be called a boring runner and people would say "he hasn't looked good since the Alexander fight"

Now he goes toe to toe when he shouldn't have and people are still criticizing him instead of showing him respect for having a heart, grit and determination of a warrior.

What do you want from Bradley? He's always been an average fighter skill wise and he always will be one. What separates him from other fighters is his will to win.

[Hougigo]

I like Bradley as much as the next guy but let us be real about things. Individuals are touting him as a top 10 pound for pound fighter yet he was put on ***** street by some no mark. I don't want to take anything away from Provodnikov as he fought his heart out and did what any underdog should do but I'd be telling people a point blank lie if I said ''You know what he's better than I expected'' because he wasn't. He looked like a limited who would be easily outboxed/broken down by the elite of the sport.

And there lies the problem. All boxers with a reputation would be criticised for winning in a dominant fashion against the likes of Provodnikov. Canelo is never given a break, Marquez was criticised for his routine win against Fedchenko, Donaire v Nishioka, Martinez v Barker.... the list goes on. Other fighters are getting slated for looking a class apart when they deal with the likes of ( or in some cases superior opponents to Provodnikov) yet people want to get up in arms for slating Bradley after a life and death performance?

In the end he showed his metal but it should never have gone so far.

Anybody who fights like that with somebody with heavy hands like those first two rounds is going to get hurt.
You're taking the first two rounds and basing the entire fight on that.
What'd Bradley look like after those two rounds?
I mean jesus, even after the sixth when he was almost knocked out again he did the dumb ass thing and started throwing back, albeit it was just for show.

[Ray*]

Guy's been through a lot, especially after the whole thing with Pacquiao.

People in NSB always judge a guy from his last fight and ignore everything else.

All Bradley had to do was give Ruslan some movement, but instead he chose to stand his ground. He was obviously trying to prove something.

Ruslan's footwork is garbage. He'll be torn apart by anyone with movement.

Ruslan pull Bradley into a dog fight, Bradley had no choice but to fight Ruslan's fight for half of the whole fight, if Timmy had a choice he would box the exact way his corner told him to but he couldn't because he doesn't have the skill level to do so.

[dan_cov]

Many top, elite fighters throughout history have gone life and death with far lesser fighters.

Sometimes all it takes is iron chin & will too win though I do not feel Provodnikov is limited & has far more in his arsenal than that. I seen a tank who did very well at cutting the ring off, slipping inside & unleashing brutal combinations.
That Russian is a pretty good counterpuncher.
His defense isn't great, he seemingly took the middle rounds off - nothing that can not be worked on and improved. Hes no mug from what I seen and personally I feel that Russian wrecks most of the top 140lb'ers & welterweights.

Bradley also broke his ankle(s) and was out for 10 months.

Bradley deserves no hate or criticism for that performance. He showed some serious heart & determination to get through that and fought his heart out, non-stop even when he was out on his feet.

[DARKSEID]

Ruslan pull Bradley into a dog fight, Bradley had no choice but to fight Ruslan's fight for half of the whole fight, if Timmy had a choice he would box the exact way his corner told him to but he couldn't because he doesn't have the skill level to do so.

Are you serious?

It's 10x harder and more exhausting to trade with someone than it is to just move backward.

Ruslan didn't pull Bradley into anything. Bradley chose not to run. If you put Cotto in his place, he would have been running the whole time after he realized he couldn't hurt him. Like he did with Pacquiao and Margarito, and like Mosley did with him.

If Ruslan had any kind of footwork, that might make sense, but he has none.

[Hougigo]

Ruslan pull Bradley into a dog fight, Bradley had no choice but to fight Ruslan's fight for half of the whole fight, if Timmy had a choice he would box the exact way his corner told him to but he couldn't because he doesn't have the skill level to do so.

Oh dear god, please explain to me how Ruslan pulled Bradley into a dog fight when he willingly went in there with him.
And how was Ruslan not able to pull him in again when he was on ***** street after the first two rounds?
Your last statement doesn't even make sense.
Jesus Christ, the ******ed shit people will say just to hate.

[Ray Corso]

Great Fight!!!! Great competitors!!! Empty at the end!!! I thank them!
Well worth watching!! Heart & Soul!!! Its over, the positive out weighs the negative! Much respect to both men, I'd hate to be either of them this morning! Ray.

[PEBBLES!]

In the end he showed his metal but it should never have gone so far.

one must acknowledge why it got that far, though. Bradley fought that guy's fight and stayed in his range for too long spells because he was trying to impress himself upon the consciousness of the casual audience, his promoter, and any potential opponents.

Bradley usually makes guys look bad. but in making Ruslan Provodnikov look good yesterday evening, he made himself an attractive opponent in two ways:

1. he showed himself marketable - fans should want to see him again and be excited about a fight involving Tim Bradley

2. he showed himself vulnerable and therefore more easily beatable in the minds of potential name opponents (Marquez, Rios)

point #2 is deceptive, though - because, if Bradley lands that big fight with either of those two guys, you know he isn't going to be playing into the opponent's hands the way he did tonight.


Bradley's metal (*sic*) has always been apparent. i wish he hadn't shown it in the way he did last night, but i understand why he had to go there.