Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer
The interesting fight of the week involves Tim Bradley taking on Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao at the MGM Grand on June 9, for the WBO welterweight crown.
It’s an important fight for both fighters, as Bradley is reportedly broke and will get a big payday win or lose.
For Pac Man, who has pretty much decided on calling it a career soon, he obviously wants to go out on top. He knows that the match with Floyd Mayweather is probably never going to happen, so he continues to fight what’s left of a pretty week welterweight division.
Is Bradley weak, at 28, he is still young enough to be a force when Pacquiao and Mayweather retire, and at 28-0- (12), he has a few advantages here. He’s five years younger than Pac Man, and sports a two inch reach advantage.
Pacquiao, 33, is ½ inch shorter and a southpaw. He comes in with a 54-3-2 mark with thirty eight coming via the “KO” route.
Here’s the big difference in my mind. Pacquiao is the better puncher by far and has fought much better fighters. He also is an aggressive fighter on the inside, which may well neutralize Bradley’s jab.
I can see only three ways Bradley can come out on top. An accidental head butt causing a stoppage, Pac Man getting ill before the fight, or injuring himself while entering the ring.
I just can’t see anyway that Bradley can win this fight. But I’m glad he’ll be getting a much needed payday.
Pacquiao by an easy decision.
Glove 2 Glove:
Prayers for the soul of former champ Johnny Tapia, 45, current top contender from Thailand Thangthong Kiattawoosk, 35, (unsure of spelling of last name) and trainer Big Bob Murray.
Prayers for the return to health of outstanding boxing guys Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos. Alex has done much to improve the welfare of retired boxers. Your prayers for him have worked in the past.
Hate to add a young boxer to this list, but former champ Paul Williams was involved in a motorcycle accident and needs your prayers for a full recovery.
Tony Triem is also in need of your prayers, as is L.H. Dalton and Marilyn Johnson.
Please pray for my Aussie mate and Glove2Glove member John MacDougall, who had to deal with the recent passing of his wife of many years Gwen. John is also recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Also prayers for the recovery of outstanding referee Mills Lane and Denis Wilcox.
Please say prayers for Phill Grazide of Santa Rosa, CA. a big supporter of amateur boxing, who is suffering the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis.
Needless to say we need prayers for the return to health of former champ Gerald McClellan, who is confined to wheelchairs.
On behalf of these great fighters who have given their all in our great sport, we thank you for your ongoing prayers.
Do you know of any boxing people in need of spiritual uplifting and/or prayers? Just drop us a line. Membership to our prayer group is free to all and no one will ever contact you except for other prayer requests. Your name will not suddenly appear on anyone’s mailing list. In short, there is absolutely no obligation. Every prayer request is most welcome and I know the recipient will appreciate it.
Why? Because it’s healing to know that other people care, even about people they don’t know, and have the knowledge that God listens!
To join the Glove2Glove prayer group, or just request much needed prayers, drop Dave Wilcox a line at ubtdave@earthlink.net.
Glove2Glove, which has been a long-time integral part of the recently defunct Ringsports.com magazine and website. It is a program I wish to have continued a long after I have left the sport and this earth. I want to thank Dave and Deborah Wilcox, who have offered to take over the program and promised to continue it indefinitely. This generous offer means a lot to me. We always welcome new members.***
Thanks and God bless.***
Keep punching, always….Rusty