Originally posted by Haka
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If the Welterweight (WW) division in 2010 consisted solely of the fighters —
Tim Bradley,
Juan Manuel Márquez (JMM),
Robert Guerrero,
Andre Berto,
Victor Ortiz, and
Marcos Maidana — the most likely fighter to come out on top would be Tim Bradley. Here's why:
1. Tim Bradley's Skillset and Strengths:
- Boxing IQ: Bradley was known for his high boxing IQ, excellent ring generalship, and ability to adjust his tactics during fights. He had the ability to control the tempo and make his opponents fight at his pace.
- Toughness and Stamina: Bradley's conditioning was impeccable, and he could maintain a high work rate for 12 rounds. He was durable, taking punches without being easily hurt, which would help him against the hard-hitting fighters in the group.
- Versatility: Bradley could box on the back foot, but he also had the grit and willingness to engage in a brawl when necessary. This made him adaptable to different styles, allowing him to compete with all types of opponents in this group.
- Juan Manuel Márquez:
- In 2010, Márquez was still a top fighter, but he was older, more seasoned, and primarily known for his counterpunching and technical boxing. However, at Welterweight, he was undersized compared to some of the bigger, more physical fighters like Bradley and Berto. His age and size disadvantage might hinder him against the younger, stronger fighters, even though his counterpunching could give him an edge in certain matchups.
- Robert Guerrero:
- Guerrero was a solid all-around fighter, but his strength was often in his ability to outwork opponents rather than overwhelm them. At 147 pounds, Guerrero was still developing as a Welterweight and wasn't known for overwhelming power, which could limit his chances against more powerful opponents like Berto, Maidana, or Bradley.
- Andre Berto:
- Berto was fast, powerful, and athletic, with explosive punching power that could trouble anyone in the division. However, his defense and ability to handle pressure were areas of concern. Against someone like Bradley, who could take away his offense and control the tempo, Berto might struggle. His vulnerability to skilled counterpunching (e.g., in his losses to Victor Ortiz and Robert Guerrero) makes him less likely to dominate the group.
- Victor Ortiz:
- Ortiz was powerful and athletic, and he had a strong chin. However, his mental fortitude was often questioned — he struggled with consistency, having moments of quitting in fights (like in his loss to Maidana). Against someone as relentless and mentally strong as Bradley, Ortiz would likely find it difficult to maintain his focus for 12 rounds.
- Marcos Maidana:
- Maidana was a dangerous and aggressive fighter with heavy hands, capable of knocking out anyone in the division. However, he lacked the technical skills and ring generalship of Bradley. Maidana's pressure and power could make him dangerous, but Bradley’s ability to move, counter, and stay out of harm’s way would give him the edge in most encounters. Maidana’s slow footwork and tendency to get outboxed by skilled fighters (like Amir Khan and Devon Alexander) would likely hurt him in a fight against Bradley.
- Against Berto: Bradley's tactical approach and ability to neutralize Berto's power and speed would give him an edge. Bradley could exploit Berto's defensive lapses and outwork him over 12 rounds.
- Against Márquez: Bradley’s ability to dictate the pace and his relentless work rate would make it difficult for the older Márquez to impose his counterpunching game. Bradley's physicality and stamina would likely wear Márquez down.
- Against Guerrero: Bradley's technical superiority and ability to mix defense with offense would likely give him an advantage over Guerrero, who was less versatile in terms of style.
- Against Ortiz: Bradley’s ring craft and mental toughness would exploit Ortiz's inconsistency. While Ortiz had power, Bradley would likely outpoint him over the distance.
- Against Maidana: Bradley’s movement and boxing IQ would likely frustrate Maidana, who relied heavily on raw aggression. Bradley could win by outworking and outboxing Maidana over the course of the fight.
Tim Bradley’s combination of skills — boxing IQ, toughness, stamina, and versatility — would likely make him the most complete and dangerous fighter in this group in 2010. While each of the other fighters had strengths, Bradley’s ability to adjust to different styles, his durability, and his work ethic would give him the upper hand in most matchups.
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