Tim Bradley shared 24 gruelling rounds with Manny Pacquiao, but still felt there was one other fighter who hit harder.
Bradley first met Pacquiao when he stepped up from 140lbs in June 2012. Most observers felt Pac-Man did enough to get his hand raised, but Bradley controversially claimed a split decision win to claim the WBO welterweight title.
The two had a rematch four years later in 2016, with Pacquiao a much more comprehensive winner this time around, dropping his opponent twice on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
That proved to be the final fight of Bradley’s career, but he still felt someone hit him harder than Pacquiao, and that was Ruslan Provodnikov.
Bradley and Provodnikov fought in March 2013 immediately after the American had first met Pacquiao, and it proved to be a Fight of the Year contender.
Despite Bradley suffering a 12th round knockdown, he did enough to claim a narrow points win in a ferocious battle, and has explained to Ring Magazine just how much damage the Russian caused.
“The best puncher was Provodnikov. It was like being hit in the face with a sledgehammer. Pacquiao’s power is more like an electrical current – you feel a wave of shock.
“When Provodnikov hits you, you’re in la-la land. You’re dancing on an island. You’re trying to get your legs back and get your defenses, because you don’t want to get hit by another shot from this guy. Your legs go to jelly. (laughs) You have no control over your body; you’re trying to will yourself out of that hell you’re in.”
Since retiring, Bradley has become an expert analyst, and he recently gave his prediction for a potential fight between Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia.
