Timothy Bradley-Brandon Rios: Post-Fight Report Card

by Cliff Rold

There are certain fighters who stand out, at least in part, for one of those attributes never appreciated enough. Speed, power…those are components one can be born with. Learning to utilize them takes hours of time in the gym. For the truly blessed, they remain even if one elects to coast a little.

Some fighters just never seem to coast. Bernard Hopkins and Wladimir Klitschko come to mind. Neither was (or is) consistently thrilling but they can boast of uncommon longevity. Without the physical blessings, it wouldn’t matter. They had to have the tools.  What they did with them comes down to one word:

Professionalism.

On Saturday, two-division titlist Timothy Bradley showed he belongs in that class. Never the absolute fastest or most skilled, he has edged past everyone but one of the modern greats. His ever-spartan conditioning is all one needs to know about just how professional he is.

For a Brandon Rios who couldn’t dream of outworking Bradley, who came into last Saturday without the same career commitment, defeat was inevitable.

Let’s go the report card.

Grades

Pre-Fight: Speed – Bradley B+; Rios B/Post: B+; C

Pre-Fight: Intangibles – Bradley A; Rios B+/Post: A; B

While picking Bradley to win, it was under the assumption that the hell bent for leather Rios would make it tough in spots. Rios did land some hard hooks upstairs, and some decent stuff to the body. Bradley could see almost all of it coming. Never a speed guy, Rios was sluggish and slow on Saturday both offensively and defensively.

He was, by the end, a heavy bag for a fiery Bradley. Credit goes to Bradley for reducing Rios to that. It didn’t happen without an almost perfect execution of his fight plan. Bradley used his legs where he needed to. He also beat up a Rios who widely outweighed him in the ring on the inside. Bradley wasn’t just faster and more skilled.

Bradley was stronger.

Rios announced his retirement at the end of the night. At only 29, let’s hope it sticks. He’s been in several wars. Never defensively great, he used to block and roll better than he does now. Battles with the scale have eroded his ability to find surges after enduring early. Some fighters just aren’t cut out for long careers. They love to fight but like the time in-between for things other than boxing.

If that means a shorter tenure that leaves fans with memories like his 135 lb. title winning effort against Miguel Acosta and first two wars with Mike Alvarado, that’s plenty.

Bradley has been both methodical boxer and willing warrior in his years in the ring. He showed a little of both Saturday. It’s been over seven years since he went overseas to win his first belt against a then-streaking Junior Witter and he looks as good now as he ever has.

No matter whether he has Joel Diaz or Teddy Atlas in the corner, the component that matters most is the man with the gloves. The professional.

It’s hard not to appreciate him. 

Report Card and Staff Picks 2015: 81-22

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com