We can agree that Lamont needs more season, but based on tonight doesnt look like he'd ever beat Bradley. Tim's handspeed was the biggest problem for him.
Agreed he has improved. Tonight was his best perforamnce by far. I thought it would be a 7-5, or 6-6 type fight either way... but Bradley won about 10 rounds.
Bradley was great. Though he had a shaky rounds 4 & 5 (he seemed either hurt,dazed or winded for some reason after he put down Peterson),it was pretty much a shut out.
Bradley is not the same guy who struggled with Holt and Witter. Boxing is a lowly sport and sometimes a guy like Bradley probably figured he would be on tv a little bit, get some money and preach about his imaginary friend to tourists on the streets of Palm springs. Once he won the title, I have a feeling he thought, I can do this for a living and I can be good. Frankly, I have never seen a fighter improve as much as he has. The guy looked awful until recently. I always wanted to like him because he is a fellow Southern Californian, but until now I didn't.Having said that, Peterson is not a very good fighter. He is tough for sure, but a bit chinny and well sucky.
bradley established himself as the top guy at 140. he is a tough, athletic guy who has some versatility. peterson is good, and a problem for plenty of contenders.
that would mean more coming from a chap who wouldnt tab khan to defeat dawson or pascal at lightheavy.
So far Peterson has fought one contender in Bradley and he gave him zero problems. Bradley beat the dog shit out of him. Btw, getting buzzed by Bradley does not bode well either for his future. Peterson is a highlight reel kayo waiting to happen. I see very little upside at this point. He has been fighting for a long time though so maybe he can adjust. As for Diaz/Malignaggi, what the fuck happened to Juan's punch output. He fights in a completely different style. I think he is trying not to get hit as much, but it isn't working. He gets hit less while blitzing guys.
He cant maintain that workrate vs Paulie cause Paulie was too quick, both with his feet and his jab for Diaz to get close. But I knew from early in the 1st round that Diaz was gonna lose. He came out trying to box with Paulie, which was a comical idea. And every time he did get inside, Paulie gave just as good as he got. Its clear Diaz cant beat anyone at 140, but at 135 I favor Valero and Funeka over him big time. Maybe Guzman as well. I'd prob take Anthony Peterson over him also. Juan's best chance for a win is to either rematch Katsidis, or fight the 63 year old Casa. BTW - Ronnie Shields is a TERRIBLE trainer.
If we are discounting Pacman, as i think we should, then Bradley is the best 140 lber out there. I was very impressed with him last night. He fought inside, he fought outside...he was better in every department. I'd like to see him against Khan or Marquez.
You should not discount Pacman, as he has fought from 140-145 very recently, making him the 2nd best Welterweight in the world, just behind Mayweather, who is the best 160lbr in the world, but only when he fights at Welterweight against non-welterweights for $600,000 a pop.