Joel Diaz & Timothy Bradley: Dynamics of The Partnership

I think the combination is great together. Bradley's in shape and almost always has a great game plan.

 

I think he's peaked. Yes. He tried working on his technique, but he still ended up slapping a lot.

 

Joel won't walk out on him... Bradley is undefeated afterall

 

If he goes through a scare like that Joel may very well think about it, how frustrating must it be to sit there and watch your fighter go life and death when he really doesn't have to, I don't even think it's anything to do with peaking in development, it just seems like Bradley is a stubborn **** who wants to do it his own way, case in point, why the **** didn't he take a knee in the last round until the very last second? he came dangerously close to getting jumped on by the referee, after all that hard work, JUST TAKE A KNEE!

I don't think the abuse he got after the Pacquiao fight helped a lot either, he had something to prove out there

 

Diaz is right. The fight itself was great for the fans, Tim definitely achieved his ambition of being more "fan friendly", but that was one of Bradley's worst displays since Alexander. His defense was almost non-existent at times, and when he was hurt he stood square on and traded on more than one occasion, if Ruslan was a more clinical finisher he could have had him out of there imo. Bradley could have made the fight so much easier for himself. It's his first fight back after almost a year though, so I'm willing to cut him a little slack.

 

I don't see Bradley improving much to be honest, he may have hit his ceiling and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't the same after that fight last week, the type of fight robs of a few extra year in the sport.

Midway through the fight he boxed well and seemed to get his legs back under him again but he had to stand and trade at times because the pressure was relentless even though Ruslan wasn't throwing much after the 2nd round just having a fighter walking right up to you can mentally affect you.

Plus Bradley knew he couldn't hurt Ruslan whilst Bradley was either hurt or jolted every time Ruslan landed anything solid and clean.

Mentally he is affected by the Pacquiao "win" no question in my mind so maybe that's why he came out and went to war in attempt to get some respect, respect that he deserves in my opinion.

For a guy that has one of the best resumes in the sport he is overlooked but there is talk of the Rios-Alvarado winner facing Bradley. If Rios wins then he will stop Bradley unless Bradley fights likes he did against Peterson and Abregu i.e. from the back foot.

Make no mistake, if that was Rios in the ring with him last week he would have been stopped, Rios wouldn't have punched himself out like Ruslan did.

 

Think theres been a lot of good sense talked about Bradley here.Mainly,the possibility of ring rust.And the fact that this was a hard fight that won't have done him any good.Andy for me hit the nail on the head in his first sentence,but don't agree about Rios.I don't see him as being tougher than Provodnikov,who I could see going toe to toe with Mattyse.Reckon Bradley would handle him.Took a lot in this one,and also proved a champions heart,but I think his next fight will show us a lot.For me,he's been underrated,and people may not like this,but could still see him beating Marquez.

 

2013 - Provodnikov
2012 - Pacquaio
2011 - Alexander, Casamayor
2010- Abregu

Name the impressive performances?

 

I agree with the observations here, I noticed them in the Ruslan fight, he just more often than not was not doing what Diaz asked. I remember him asking Bradley to box and move and then he got into a trade off on the ropes.

Most of the time I personally feel Diaz gives sound advice, he's passionate as well and does seem to have control of the corner. If I was him I'd be asking Bradley between now and the next fight to show him he can trust him and listen to him, otherwise I'd consider walking away. Because lets face it, he was a whisker away from defeat against Ruslan and from being badly hurt, had he have listened to the advice from Diaz, he'd have won a near shut out.

 

Firstly,don't think he was exactly unimpressive against Provodnikov.As said,started the fight wrong and got caught,and probably paid for it the rest of the fight.Showed his chin and later on his experience.Afraid to say,Amir Khan would have been out of there.Casamayor not entirely shot,IMO a near great fighter.How long since his win over Katsidis?Alexander I think was unbeaten,coming off wins overUrango{first to stop him?}and Kotelnik{underrated}.Pac rated an all time great.Didnt see Abregu.
Mention these to show what he was up against,don't think I mentioned the word performance.First time I saw him he beat Junior Witter.Now that WAS a performance.If he was British the fans here would love him.