Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
As many of my patients, friends and blog readers know, I am a huge fan of professional boxing. As a long-time Las Vegas resident I have had the opportunity to attend a number of amazing fights, and as a physician I have been blessed with the privilege and honor to offer my medical expertise at many Las Vegas bouts as a post-fight plastic surgeon. I primarily tend to fighters associated with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing. It truly has been a dream come true to combine my passion for boxing with my professional experience as a plastic surgeon. I have been fortunate with every opportunity I have had, as the fighters I have worked on have all been true champions.
Congressman Manny “Pacman” Pacquaio and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley Jr., the two men who will collide in the ring Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, are excellent examples of real champions who have trained long and hard, and have achieved the peak of fitness and both mental and physical preparation.
Tim Bradley is no joke. He is in terrific shape, is undefeated, and knows this is the biggest fight of his life. He is fighting on the big stage in Las Vegas. He is talented, relentless, and has an incredible work ethic. Bradley states that he likes to “systemically break guys down.” His last opponents have been southpaws. He states he is comfortable with this situation, and points to his victory over Casamayor as an example.
Across the ring stands Filipino Congressman Manny Pacquiao, a true octuple champion with a record eight titles in eight different weight classes. His boxing skills continue to progress. Pacquiao’s power continues to increase as he ascends in weight class. Going up in weight has clearly not impacted his signature speed.
Some were concerned with Manny’s performance in his last controversial win over nemesis Marquez. After a very close contest there were some questions: Did Marquez just have Manny’s number? Is Manny vulnerable to counter punchers? Was some underlying personal strife, admitted to by his wife, Jinkee, clouding his focus? These questions seem to be sorted out now. Manny has turned to religion for guidance and devoted time to bond with his family. Arguably the best trainer in the business, Freddie Roach, has also made adjustments. Last we heard, Pacquiao should be firing on all cylinders when he reaches the ring on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Saturday’s fight presents an interesting clash of styles. Pacquiao, a southpaw, has blazing speed with power and can hit from odd angles. Bradley is a boxer that can brawl. He likes to drop his head and move forward. With that said, there is a high probability that there may be some entanglements and inadvertent clashes of heads.
Bradley states, “We are trying to eliminate head butts. Throwing my shots before coming in with my head and then stepping in, as opposed to leaning in then throwing shots. We’ve been working on it in the gym and have been very successful with it in sparring and keeping my balance. I definitely don’t want this fight to end on a head butt.”
All can agree on that point, and as a plastic surgeon I can assure you that I hope the suture kit won’t have to be used after the fight.
The advantage in this fight has to go to Pacquiao because of his experience in big fights. This takes nothing away from Bradley, who is a true champion in his own right and revels in the role of underdog anyway.
Best wishes to both fighters. I can’t wait for Saturday night’s bell…
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(702) 450-0777www.jjrothmd.com
