A class act in the sport of boxing, Timothy Bradley has taken some flack ever since his controversial win over Manny Pacquiao in 2012 and for the most part has taken the criticism in stride. So when Bradley comes out and says that in just four rounds of sparring with Lucas Matthysse that he is one of the hardest punchers he has been in the ring with the boxing world should take notice.
To the surprise of many Bradley, the WBO welterweight champion and Matthysse agreed to spar with each other, something that could pay big dividends in both of their preparations for their up coming bouts.
Bradley will face fellow Pacquiao-downer, Juan Manuel Marquez next month and Matthysse, of course, is squaring up with junior welterweight titlist Danny Garcia Saturday night as the featured undercard bout on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Canelo Alvarez “The One” pay-per-view super-event.
Both Bradley and Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) getting a chance to spar against each other, world-class fighters in their own right will help have them prepared to face two of the toughest fights of their careers.
Matthysse is fast on the rise in the boxing world due to his incredible punching power, possessing a 94 percent KO rate having won by stoppage in 32-of-his-34 bouts. Garcia does possess some KO power of his own, but not nearly as potent as Matthysse’s.
Even though Bradley had all the praise in the world for Matthysse, he is sticking behind his original predication and feels that Garcia will win the bout on Saturday night.
There is no doubt that Garcia (26-0, 16 KOs) has the skills and heart to beat Matthysse, but with his willingness to trade punches with any fighter could get him into trouble against Matthysse. If Garcia picks and chooses his spots to let his hands fly his chances of winning are far greater than if he gets into an all-out brawl with Matthysse.
Any fighter who steps in the ring with Matthysse should take Bradley’s words to heart: “Keep your f—king right hand up,” or you probably will be looking up at the lights laying on your back wondering where you are before you know it.
