SecondsOut Team Pick Bradley vs. Petersen

The hard working champion is looking to continue his reign, while the well credentialed challenger has earned his shot, but that hasn’t stopped SecondsOut’s team of fearless writers from making their confident picks for Saturday’s WBO junior welterweight boxing world title match between belt holder Timothy Bradley and Lamont Peterson at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California, televised in the USA on Showtime Championship Boxing.

“I’m going with Bradley here based on the champion’s strong track record of preparation and a vastly superior quality of opposition compared to interim titlist Peterson. Not to take anything away from Peterson, who like Bradley, is undefeated and as earned his shot. Bradley by unanimous decision. Bradley W.12.”
- Gregory Juckett, Content Editor - New York, USA

“Bradley has got a suspect chin, but it seems if you can’t knock him out, he just outworks you and wins on points. I see a familiar scenario in this fight. Bradley W.12.”
- Paul Upham, Content Editor - Sydney, Australia

“This promises to be a fascinating contest between two extremely sound boxers. People may question if Peterson is ready for the big stage yet but I think he is a cool, focused and wildly talented boxer and he may just surprise a few people on Saturday night. He enjoys a healthy size and reach advantage over the champion and he has the ability to put both of those to good use. I can envision Peterson out-boxing and frustrating the champion for enough of this contest to pull off the upset. Peterson W.UD.12.”
- Michael Norby, Contributing Editor - New England, USA

“Bradley is on a roll and is too strong. He has been to this well before and Peterson will feel that. Bradley will hand Peterson a lesson in boxing. By decision. Bradley W.12.”
- Jerry Glick - Contributing Editor - New York City, USA

“This is a pick ’em contest, but I side with Peterson to utilise his natural physical advantages and run out a narrow, but deserved winner on the scorecards. Peterson W.SD.12.”
- Mark Butcher, Founding Editor - London, UK

“Great competitive toss-up. Bradley has more experience in fights of this caliber and I go with him on points. But don’t be surprised if he visits the canvas during one of the many exciting exchanges. Bradley W.UD.12.”
- Juan Pablo Manfredi - Buenos Aires, Argentina

“I’ve been watching Peterson for a while now and am glad he’s got an opportunity at a world title, but he’s coming up against probably the best at the weight in the shape of Timothy Bradley. You never know how a fighter will react to his biggest fight, and make no mistake it’s the biggest fight of Peterson’s career to date, but he has to rise to the challenge in order to win. Bradley has the tools for me to do the job, but what he desperately needs is the breakout performance to make him a bigger name. You get an idea of how good he is when he’s not even mentioned by the Khan camp. Bradley wins on points, maybe stoppage to make a statement. Bradley W.12.”
- Craig Phillips - UK

“Timothy Bradley has a wealth of experience over Peterson, but I have trouble seeing Peterson outdone by a fighter who doesn’t do anything exceptional. Bradley is solid all around, but has found himself in close fights with his best opposition. I think Lamont Peterson actually represents his most talented opponent to date. It should be another close affair and Peterson’s lack of power should put things in Bradley’s favor. I think I am going to go with the upset though. Peterson is as technically sound as Bradley, but I think he won’t allow himself to be hit as much. It’ll be a hard fight to score between Bradley’s aggression and Peterson’s better connects. Peterson W.MD.12.”
- Derek Bonnett - Connecticut, USA

“This is without question the best fight of a weekend stuffed with great boxing action, one I can’t wait to watch. Bradley is among the top ten pound-for-pound in my opinion but Peterson is no joke. I’m curious as to how many people think Bradley will steamroll Peterson. I don’t see it happening; I see Peterson fighting the fight of his life on Saturday but falling just short. Bradley by close unanimous decision. Bradley W.UD.12.”
- Mike Sloan - Las Vegas, USA

“Peterson is a real live dog in this fight. He’s very skilled - an all round boxer. He’ll try to keep the ever charging Bradley at a comfortable distance. Bradley has had a great year and I think it will continue, but this fight is going to be nip and tuck all the way. I’ll go with the more seasoned Bradley over twelve very close rounds. It could go either way. Bradley W.12.”
- Matthew Hurley - Boston, USA

“Two undefeated fighters, both of them in their prime, I have to confess, I have only seen Bradley in action previously and he is a good fighter no doubt. Lamont Peterson is just a name I have heard of through my friends in boxing, so I took a look at him on a video on YouTube and thought he looked really skilled. He did beat former Olympian and amateur world champion Willy Blain and that takes some doing. Peterson might provide Bradley with a tough test but I do not think he is the man to burst Bradley’s unbeaten record. Timothy takes him to school and wins it on points. Bradley W.12.”
- Teddy Stenmark - Sweden

“I’m going with Peterson here, more so for his boxing skills than anything else. Peterson is a smart fighter and it’s that that will cause him to upset Bradley, it will be an intriguing fight and should be a good show! Peterson W.UD.12.”
- Lwazi Ndzobongo - South Africa

“I think this is going to be a very good fight. Both guys are undefeated and want to stay that way. I am really having trouble picking a winner given Bradley’s heart and ring experience and Peterson’s speed. I think at the end of the day, Peterson’s speed will make the difference and he will pull the upset and win a twelve round SD. Peterson W.SD.12.”
- Ray Kilgore - Minneapolis, MN, USA

“This should be a good fight. Timothy Bradley is the undefeated champion and Lamont Peterson is the undefeated challenger. Bradley has been in the ring with tougher opposition (Campbell, Holt, Cherry, and Witter). He is not a knockout puncher, but he applies a lot of pressure and is in fantastic physical condition. Peterson has been in the ring with some tough fighters but not the caliber of fighters Bradley has beaten. Peterson relies on skill more so than power, and will probably choose to fight Bradley on the perimeter of the ring. I think Peterson will have a good showing and may keep the fight close for 8 or 9 rounds, but the pressure applied by Bradley will be the factor in the championship rounds. Bradley W.UD.12.”
- Derek Gionta - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA


Total:

TIMOTHY BRADLEY = 9

LAMONT PETERSEN = 5