I think the Kotelnik fight has ruined his reputation and hype somewhat. This is coming from a person who was at the fight and saw a hometown fighter take a very poorly scored decision... But we have to remember that Tim Bradley is not Andriy Kotelnik, and that we might not have seen a good night from Devon. There was a lot of pressure on his shoulders(an NYT article, holyfield and mayweather in attendance, hopes of americans and saint louisans etc etc) and he might not have been his best or looking ahead against an underrated fighter like Kotelnik. We've seen Bradley in trouble before, and struggle against so-so fighters. Yet now that we've seen Devon perform poorly once against a former titleholder he cant win? This content is protected
What Devon has working in his favour is that his style can be much more conducive to fighting a guy like Bradley. Timbo is known leave himself open and for some wicked counter shots (see Holt fight) and Devon does have the tools to exploit that.I think he'll give a much better showing than he did against Kotelnik, he just had no answer for Andriy's high guard and wasted his jabs on elbows and forearms.
I think he has a good shot against Bradley because Bradley's D isn't as tight as Kotelnik's. Also, Bradley loves to fight probably as much as if not more than Alexander so this matchup could be a FOTY candidate. Overall, I think Bradley is more skilled so he should try to box more but Devon can box too. The only thing I give Devon over Bradley is power but Bradley doesn't back down. Interesting fight where I lean 65/35 on a Bradley win. He can win but Bradley is just the better boxer imo.
He did have an answer, he just fought stupidly. He was having really great success with his let straights to the body early on and i'd bet that if he threw uppercuts up that high guard he'd have rung Andriy's bell a couple times. Cunningham just gave him shitty advice too. My concern for Devon is that he'll let Bradley bully him around too much and let Tim's superior physical strength cost him the fight. I also expect him to do better, but I have lots of doubts about how he can handle a good inside fighter.
I think like Khan did with Maidana, Devon is getting seriously underestimated by his opponent here. If Bradley takes him too lightly he could pay for it badly.
He had a bad night against a durable and solid top quality opponant. I think Bradley v Alexander is guna be a great fight and i havnt a clue whose guna win.
not like bradley is some sort of destroyer bradley is just average, but hes average every where. which makes him a solid fighter. alexander dosent listen. niether can beat khan.
he needs to get inside with his jab and then let some uppercuts go. that is his chance, from a distance bradley will be able to control. i want devon to win because timothy is so ugly, hopefully devon finishes him.