The producers of HBO’s 24/7 have another storyline challenge on hand with their upcoming series for June 9’s Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley fight. Pacquiao’s been a part of enough 24/7s that most of his life is an old hat to boxing fans. The “how will Manny deal with camp distractions and juggling Congressional life?” angle has already been covered multiple times. His family life is well documented. Continued talks about the failed Mayweather negotiations is nauseating. So what is left?
Enter Timothy Bradley.
This will be the undefeated Bradley’s first 24/7 and the producers have to focus on building up him as a credible threat to an aging Pacquiao. Unfortunately, Bradley does not have a highlight reel of sensational knockouts to help sell that point to casual fans. It also doesn’t help that Bradley’s most notable mainstream fight was his horrid matchup with Devon Alexander last year. Nonetheless, Bradley is still younger, has an aggressive style, and as Max Kellerman pointed out during last week’s Face Off, is the first fighter that can be seen as “prime” that Pacquiao’s faced in years.
24/7: Pacquiao vs. Bradley debuts on May 19.
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Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 