Finally, the much anticipated (Not!) rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley is here!  I don’t see this fight being any different than their first encounter in 2012, where Pac Man controlled most of the action in the entire fight.  Although some “experts” have concluded that Manny has experienced a huge decline in skill and power (largely due to his inability to knock-out his opponents since Miguel Cotto back in 2009) his compubox statistics show otherwise.

Note: Manny out-punched (punches landed) all these opponents in every category. Source: Compubox

Manny has consistently out-punched his opponents in every category.  In terms of power-punches, he remains pretty consistent. Manny’s power-punch output (his bread and butter) remains as sharp as ever. This will be key, not in terms of knocking out his opponent, but in swaying the judges over with impact points. Why is this important?  If this fight goes the distance (as I predict it will) Manny will win the judges over, even if he plays it safe (no real exchanges). Manny has no intention of exchanging heavily with any of his remaining opponents (and why should he? see: Mayweather).  His superior footwork and speed will carry him to victory. (Even if they decide to exchange, I give Manny the edge, although anything can happen in an exchange, see: Marquez IV).

Every boxer has to evolve in order to remain at the top. I believe Manny has reached a point in his career (largely due to being put to sleep by Marquez) where he will simply out-box Bradley and rely on a generous margin of victory, courtesy of the judges score cards.

Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision