Tim Bradley Thinks Spence Easily Beats Pacquiao With One Strategy

Tim Bradley believes Errol Spence Jr. can cruise to victory against Manny Pacquiao with one key strategy.

Spence is set to put his WBC and IBF Welterweight Titles on the line against Pacquiao. “PacMan” hasn’t competed since July 2019 when he defeated Keith Thurman to capture the WBA Welterweight Championship. That title was since given to Yordenis Ugas due to Pacquiao’s inactivity. Pacquiao is the WBA “Champion in Recess.”

During an appearance on the 3-Knockdown Rule Podcast, Bradley said the name of the game for Spence is fighting on the outside (h/t BoxingScene.com).

“Errol Spence is relaxed in the beginning. If you go back and watch [the fight against] Danny Garcia, Danny Garcia got off to a good start. I thought…Spence made the adjustment in the second round. Manny’s speed in the beginning is going to be difficult, but once Errol is able to figure out the distance and the range the fight is going to be a lot easier for him.

“If he can keep the fight outside, he should have no problem beating Pacquiao.”

With that said, Bradley wants to make it clear that he isn’t counting Pacquiao out.

“His 85% is better than other guys’ 90%. He still has the speed and the punching power. Spence is going to be surprised by how tenacious this guy is, even though he is 42 years old and he’s been in the game for a very long time. I believe this is his 26th year in the sport.” 

Bradley knows what it’s like to mix it up with the future Hall of Famer. The two shared the ring three times. Bradley won the first matchup via controversial split decision. Pacquiao took the next two fights, both via unanimous decision.

Errol Spence Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao will take place on Aug. 21. The action will be held inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.