Cornelius Bundrage vs. Timothy Bradley

Reportedly very close to done.

This is a chance for Bradley to become a three division world champion (probably the most attractive chance he will ever get), and for Bundrage to legitimize his improbable 2nd IBF 154lb title reign by finally netting a signature W in his 41st outing.

Both were in talks at various points to meet the current middleweight lineal champion, Miguel Cotto - but that current now seems to be flowing in the direction of Jorge Sebastian Heiland. (who unlike Bradley or Bundrage is a real middleweight...)

Bradley has only ever fought at two weights before; never higher than welterweight nor lower than light welter. He is without a victory since 2013, although he can be excused a loss to Manny Pacquiao in their rematch and most did see him deserving the nod over Diego "La Joya" Chaves. He does have a history of successfully challenging for a world title moving up in weight (not his debut at the weight, though - he fought Joya's countryman Abregu prior to Pacquiao I), though it was considered a bad decision by virtually everyone in the boxing community.

Bundrage has a very strange career divisible in two parts: the first 13 years being forgettable, losing every time he stepped up and capped off with a KO loss to Julio. Then in the last seven years he embarked on a Cinderella man run, facing ten at least fringe world class opponents in a row in Ouma/Brewer/Baysangurov/Foreman/Spinks/Powell II/Spinks II/Smith/Hernandez/Molina - and going 7-2-0-1 (3) in that span, with the losses coming by split & majority decision. Bradley will arguably be his best opponent to date,

 

:think I might actually consider lumping on the Under when the odds come out.

No, I don't think either will be able to crack the other man's chin. (Bradley will be a complete powder-puff at 154lb and has little to carry up to begin with, but at the same time he is too durable for Bundrage to hurt; Bundrage is bigger than guys like Provodnikov or Pacquiao but lacks their natural explosiveness and has no punching technique worth speaking of to make up for it)

My theory:

I think all the sloppiness this match-up lends itself to is going to lead to a slew of (mostly accidental, maybe growing less so as frustrations mount) fouls: headbutts, elbows, rabbit punches etc.

Someone is going to get cut, leading to either a TD or TKO - or disqualified. :deal

...and it won't take as long as 9.5 rounds to reach that point.


I just can't see this pair having a neat and organized 12-round match without it turning into some kind of mess.

 

Telling ya, somebody is sustaining bad cuts or swelling before this is all said & done.

 

Well, he is a dog. :conf