Quote Originally Posted by TitoFan View Post
If Bradley were to beat JMM at 140, and that's a huge IF... it would be based on two things: size and age.

JMM proved he is no Pacquiao when it comes to going up in weight. (Hell... no one else has done what Pacquiao has done, dirty or not). But JMM left no doubt of that when he took on Mayweather and was totally outclassed and dominated. And we all know 140 is not JMM's natural weight. So Bradley being the naturally bigger man DEFINITELY gives him an advantage. I also mention the "age" factor, because Father Time waits for no one. JMM is getting old for a boxer, just like everybody else... and that would also be a factor on Bradley's side.

BUT...... having said that.... PLEASE do not argue that Bradley would beat JMM because he's a better fighter. JMM is and has always been TWICE the fighter and boxer that Bradley can ever hope to be. Not dissing Bradley here... just putting things in perspective. I don't normally agree too much with VD, but I agree 100% here: Bradley is a good fighter. JMM is a GREAT fighter.

So yeah... at this point in time, and with the fight being at 140, I give Bradley a pretty good chance of beating JMM. Not a sure thing, mind you... but a pretty good chance.
People's perception of good and great are purely based on quality of opposition, but alos how many times have great fighters lost to good fighters? Mosley to Vernon Forrest, Kostya Tszyu to Phillips, Leonard to Terry Norris and Camacho, Holyfield against Michael Moorer. THese are just modern examples, but the list goes on and on.

What does size have to do with it? I don't think it's fair to say JMM hasn't moved up effectively, he just had to fight Mayweather while Pacquiao fought everyone else. None of them are Mayweather. Sure moving up has slowed Marquez down, but not any more so in comparison to the division he was fighting in. THe higher you go the slower the guys will be, and Marquez has done a tremendous job of maintaining his speed while moving up, its just once again, when he fought Mayweather who was naturally faster with that longer style and great defense he had no chance.

I'm not saying Bradley will have a better legacy than JMM, that would be crazy to say this early in his career and with the fact he has little knockout power, but at this moment he's a better fighter than JMM, he's more versatile and he's faster. He's actually shorter than JMM, and he doesn't really fight on the inside ala Hatton or DUran so I am not sure how much his size would play a factor.