Tag Archives: Timothy Bradley

Timothy Bradley: I controlled the action with my jab, I’ll rematch Manny Pacquiao on November 10

10 Jun

Robert Delgado – Los Angeles

New WBO welterweight world champion Timothy Bradley, who outpointed former ruler Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 9, has indicated his victory was vindicated by his ability to “control the action with [his] jab”. Bradley received a majority decision courtesy of two scores of 115-113 overturning a 113-115 but faced immediate fan backlash following the official announcement of his tight triumph.

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Bradley posed with an unofficial rematch poster prior to fight night. Credit: Chris Farina/Top Rank

“It was a good, competitive fight,” said Bradley (29-0-0, 12ko) to HBO, inside the ring, after the official announcement of his shock win.  “Every round was pretty close,” he added as a chorus of jeers could still be heard from the pro-Pacquiao crowd in Nevada. “I controlled the action with my jab, I gotta go home, review the tape and see if I really won the fight or not. He’s a strong puncher, he rocked me a couple times but I withstood it.”

During the promotion for the match-up, Bradley attracted headlines when he posed for photographs with a mock poster that indicated a rematch was set for November 10. That publicity stunt turned out to be a prophecy as Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38ko) will no doubt be eager to avenge his defeat, something Bradley is also keen on: “On November 10 we can do a rematch.”

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Timothy Bradley defeats Manny Pacquiao for the WBO title but was the decision another stinker?

10 Jun

Denzil Stone – Atlantic City

Boxing has undergone many damaging decisions in recent years that stunk of either incompetency or worse… corruption. From Erislandy Lara’s loss to Paul Williams and Richard Abril’s recent defeat to Brandon Rios to the current; a June 9 duel at the MGM Grand Garden Arena where Timothy Bradley‘s points victory over Manny Pacquiao will only be official in the record books as the latter threw more shots, landed more often and bossed the contest.

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Stone’s scorecard

Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pacquiao
 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9
 9 10
Bradley
 9 9 9
 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 9

Official verdict: Bradley via majority decision (115-113, 113-115, 115-113).

Transformations… both of a personal and physical nature, were cited to be potential problems for Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38ko) going into the Bradley (29-0-0, 12ko) contest as his relationship with his God tightened and his age continued to increase. For the first two and a half minutes of the first round it appeared the criticisms of the Filipino were not unwarranted as Bradley boxed around Manny, forced the fight and could duck away from Pacquiao’s power punches. That was, until, the final 30 seconds when Pacquiao burst into action and threw three big left hands, all landing and all troubling Bradley.

It is with that late success that Manny returned to his stool with the ten score for the round and he took that confidence into the start of the second as Bradley continued to leak left hands to his face. While Bradley showed greater dimensions to his tactics – he found the body relatively easily as he tucked gloves below Pacquiao’s guard, he had good balance and showed a good boxing appreciation – it was Pacquiao who reaped success with pure power and was visibly able to knock Bradley back a step whenever he landed one of his huge lefts. That italicized word is one of the crucial factors that judges at ringside should have taken heed from when inking their scores. On that basis, the fight was Pacquiao’s.

In the second quarter of the fight, Pacquiao’s ability to land the left hand continued to either drive Bradley back, force him to tie-up or make him retreat. The American traded less and used ring movement more often, yet it was the Filipino who had the markings of a man in a fight as, at the end of the fifth, he was bleeding from the mouth.

In round six, Bradley appeared to establish an authority on the fight, but, like the opening stanza, Pacquiao rallied well in the final minute and wrested the higher score away from Timothy as he battered him into the ropes and just teed off, landing southpaw jabs, flurries and a right hook to the body. As the rounds progressed, the extra dimensions to Pacquiao’s game rose to the fore and each one proved too complex for Bradley to figure out – his defence just wasn’t built to cope.

A decline in Pacquiao’s activity occurred in round eight, yet Bradley did not offer much himself to capitalise on the lag in output to steal the round for himself. The slump in Pacquiao’s productiveness may have been fatigue… he was breathing out of his mouth and, even in round nine and he was boxing sluggishly.

In the championship rounds, Bradley was efficient, just not spectacular. He jabbed well, showed signs of counter-punching ability and boxed Pacquiao. The late bursts from Manny that won him the rounds earlier in the fight, though, had vanished and so there was more of a case to make that Bradley had turned it around – albeit far too late in the fight.

Pacquiao – who lost his WBO welterweight world championship to Bradley via a majority decision call – was the aggressor. He was the ring general. His power was the more damaging out of the two fighters. He was more accurate and he landed more often than Bradley… yet, when it came to the judges decision, there was undeniable controversy as it was the latter – the seemingly more inferior boxer – who left the ring with an outrageous majority decision victory.

Bradley had clearly been hit with the harder shots but the most damaging blow was dealt to boxing.

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Photos: Does Timothy Bradley have one of the best bodies in boxing?

9 Jun

Words: Petra Kirsch – Gelsenkirchen

Photos: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

With his weight-lifter’s physique, Timothy Bradley‘s body is one of the talking points from yesterday’s weigh-in in Las Vegas. The undefeated boxer who boasts a record of 28-0-0, 12ko takes on Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 9 but looked far more ripped, cut, shredded and athletic than the Filipino warrior. Floyd Mayweather Jr may rival Bradley for abdominal muscle, or heavyweight prospect Mark de Mori for overall power mass, but who else – pound for pound – can lay claim to possessing the best body in boxing?

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Bradley came in one pound lighter than the welterweight limit, registering a 146lb weight

Bradley had stated a number of weeks ago that he was living the weight and so would likely come in under

Can the underdog have his day against Pacquiao? Or will Manny bite back in the ring?

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Amir Khan doubts Timothy Bradley’s ability at 147, speaks out on his training camp with Manny Pacquiao

9 Jun

On The Beak – Admin

Amir Khan is looking forward to the ‘crazy’ Manny Pacquiao versus Timothy Bradley fight that will be broadcast in the UK live on Primetime. Boxing superstar Amir Khan shared his thoughts with Primetime ahead of Saturday night’s super-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley. The former unified light-welterweight champion knows both fighters well, check out what he has to say about the eagerly anticipated world title clash.

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Khan sees Wildcard Boxing Club stablemate Pacquiao as the victor but would still box Bradley at welterweight

On Pacquiao-Bradley…

“I’m always going to back my training partner Manny Pacquiao in this fight because he’s been in with better competition and reigned for such a long time. I think Manny will win the fight but don’t get me wrong it’s going to be a tough fight. I don’t think Manny will knock him out I feel it’s going to go the distance because Bradley is tough. There’s no doubt Bradley will come to fight, seeing him train on HBO 24/7 he seems focused and confident and he’ll go in there wanting to win.

“Manny’s not performed at his best in his last few fights so that might be on Bradley’s side and he could use that to his advantage. No matter what, it’s going to be an electrifying fight and one of those tough and crazy fights that boxing fans want to see. I’m looking forward to it as we offered Bradley the fight twice and he turned it down so I’m hoping my teammate can beat him for me in a way.”

Toe-to-toe…

“It will be a tough fight and a toe-to-toe scrap at times. Both guys can fight, and they like to fight, they throw a lot of shots and have great fitness. It will be a match-up that people love to see and fans will be on the edge of their seats, it will be an exciting fight no matter what because you have two guys that are in their prime and are hungry for the win. Manny won’t want to lose his pound-for-pound title and Bradley wants to move up and make a statement.

“I don’t think Bradley will be the same fighter at 147 as he was at 140. He thinks he’s a better fighter at 147 which I don’t thinks the case because he doesn’t have the power to knock Manny Pacquiao out or any other fighter at that weight. But he will cause a problem in the fight because he has a great engine, work rate and likes to keep coming forward.”

On Manny’s training…

“Manny always trains hard, I was out in the Philippines with him when I was training for my rematch with Peterson. Manny is always dedicated when it comes to training and you can’t knock him for that because he’s always strong and tough and likes to push himself to the limit. He always spars hard and he’s looking in tremendous shape.

“People can say what they like about his last few fights, and he hasn’t really performed well, but I think that’s down to how his opponents have been. When he fights top opposition he always boxes better but when he faces guys that people expect him to beat he doesn’t really put on the ‘A’ game that he has.”

On sparring Manny…

“Manny is a tricky guy to beat. I’ve sparred with him and shared a ring with him, and he sometimes adapts quite late in a fight because the first few rounds he eases into it and sees what the opponent does and kind of breaks him down. Whereas Bradley is a bit wild and seeing him fight he goes in there with his head. Manny needs to watch his head because they are a similar size but Bradley’s game plan will be to put pressure on him, push him back and throw four or five shots at a time.

“Speed is going to be crucial, Bradley knows Manny is fast so Bradley’s going to try and use his speed against him but I think Manny has way more ability and eventually his class will shine through. What Manny has to be wary of though is Bradley’s head and the looping shots that don’t come from far away.”

On Manny-Marquez…

“You always have that one opponent that knows your style inside out. I think Marquez has that style to beat or look really good against Manny Pacquiao that’s why the last fight was so awkward.”

On fighting the winner…

“I would love to fight Bradley at 147 if he somehow manages to come through. I don’t think he’s going to beat Manny, but it’s a fight that we put to him before when he was at light-welterweight and he turned it down twice. I wouldn’t face Manny because we are friends and share the same trainer and there are plenty of other big fights out there.”

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Photos: Pacquiao’s trainer Roach on Bradley’s flaws, head-clashes, muscles and the best Manny yet

9 Jun

Words: Alan Dawson – London

Photo: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

Meticulous boxing trainer Freddie Roach, the chief cornerman for WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao, has appraised the Filipino’s June 9 opponent Timothy Bradley. Roach regards Bradley’s style to be incomplete and foresees ways through the challenger’s defence. He did, though, marvel at the Californian’s sculpted physique but opined that build alone will not see Bradley triumph as Pacquiao is said to emulate his prime form.

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Freddie fielded questions at a media roundtable during fight week

“We had a really great training camp… the first three weeks in Baguiao [were] very successful – and the last three weeks in Los Angeles [were] great. Manny’s focus is the best I have ever seen,” Roach said recently.

Roach is known for his studious approaches to camps and sets his fighters up (whether they are Pacquiao, Amir Khan or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr) to capitalise on the weaknesses the opponent possesses. Ahead of the MGM Grand Garden Arena brawl in Las Vegas later tonight, Saturday, Roach paid respect to Bradley’s athleticism but alerted Manny to the chinks in Desert Storm Tim’s armour in advance.

“We are going against a tough opponent, a tough undefeated opponent in Bradley,” Freddie, a five-time Futch-Condon award winner stated. “I have watched a lot of tapes on him, have seen a lot of holes in his defence and we are going to take advantage of them.”

Whilst Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko) lacks the star-name of Pacquiao’s most recent victims like Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto, there is intrigue over the stylistic match-up as the challenger is five years the junior of the champion, is undefeated, on a hot streak of form and, like Pacman, throws an abundance of punches. However, Bradley is orthodox while Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) is southpaw and so toe-treading and head-clashing could occur.

“Bradley does come in head first,” noted Roach. “We have been working on how to nullify that. We have a lefty fighting against a righty. The two heads may clash, that could happen and it’s something we have to be aware of and something we will be prepared for.”

Since tasting the canvas against heavy-hitting Kendall Holt, Bradley has seldom tasted the canvas and has collected a bounty of ten scores. In contrast, Pacquiao, in his most recent outing against Juan Manuel Marquez, was pushed to the wire and secured a disputed majority decision. Roach, though, believes Bradley will not achieve the same success Marquez enjoyed as he lacks fundamental counter-punching ability.

“I have been watching Bradley a lot and he doesn’t rely very much on counter-punching. He is very offensive. He comes to fight which will make it a good fight for everybody. He comes forward and is very aggressive, he will try to fight. He is a well-conditioned athlete. He will try to prove he is the better athlete – the better-conditioned athlete [but] Manny should have a very good fight.”

Bradley has stated that he has multiple game-plans, will assess Pacquiao early on and decide when to bang or if he should box. If the latter occurs, Roach has indicated that his premier prizefighter will be “prepared”. He said: “We have a mover in camp so we are prepared if Bradley decides to move around… we are prepared for anything he brings. We make adjustments to prepare Manny for whatever may come. He’s ready for a boxer and I’m covering all my bases.”

Prolific pugilist scribe Lem Satterfield, of The Ring’s website, records Roach on his dictaphone

The coach of Pacquiao for over a decade, Roach believes his star pupil will shine the brightest against Bradley

What has been common in Pacquiao’s welterweight campaign – whether he took on Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Margarito or Mosley – was that he was the smaller man, relinquishing the height and weight advantage to his opponent. Even against Marquez, Juan Manuel weighed in one pound lighter than Pacquiao but outweighed him – unofficially – in the ring. Pacquiao is accustomed to attacking – and trumping – bigger men than himself. And, though he is slightly taller than Bradley, he will again look like the smaller man due to Timothy’s weight-lifter’s body.

“Bradley is a good opponent. [We have not fought anyone like Bradley] because he is very strong and very muscular up top. I don’t think we have fought anybody that muscular.”

Roach intends on countering Tim’s build with “experience, speed and power.” He claimed: “Experience is hard to deal with, power will knock you out.”

In a concluding remark, Roach issued a caveat to Bradley: “[Manny] is a better fighter now; he is more focused. If a knockout comes it will be a bonus. Bradley is a great fighter and he’ll be resilient, but I think you’ll see the best Manny Pacquiao yet.”

Timothy could be made to order for Manny, says Roach, who expects victory this evening

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Photos: Arce, Rojas, Kennedy, Rigondeaux, Jones, Bailey and Bradley weigh-in but crowd reserves roars for Pacquiao

9 Jun

Words: Robert Delgado – Los Angeles

Photos: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

The four televised pay-per-view fighters competing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 9 all weighed-in yesterday but despite the appearances of Jesus Rojas, Jorge Arce, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Teon Kennedy, Mike Jones, Randall Bailey and Timothy Bradley, it was Manny Pacquiao who attracted raucous rock-star applause. Additionally, the Filipino was not fazed over the intimidation tactics employed by his challenger…

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Las Vegas is used to Pacmania descending upon the city when Filipino icon Manny arrives to fight

Tall welterweight Mike Jones (left) weighed-in at 146.5lbs while Randall Bailey came in at 146lbs

Jorge Arce grimaced as he was slightly over at 123.5lbs

Out of the quartet of contests broadcast by HBO and it’s international brethren, only Jorge Arce’s ten round duel with Jesus Rojas (18-1-1, 13ko) is non-title. Arce, though, if successful, could land himself a prized shot at fast-rising Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire who has his own bout with Jeffrey Mathebula on July 7; a fight that will unify the WBO and IBF world titles.

Both Arce (60-6-2, 46ko) and Rojas were the only two fighters who failed to make weight as they came in 1.5lbs over the super bantamweight limit of 122lbs, however, the dust-up will go forth, leading one to presume this may have been contractually agreement.

In a bout that will have the vacant IBF welterweight world title belt on the line, Jones – a rangy 29-year-old from the historical boxing hotbed of Philadelphia – clashes with big-punching Bailey (42-7-0, 36ko). What could be more significant for Jones (26-0-0, 19ko), though, is that a strong performance could see him aligned with the winner of the Pacquiao and Bradley fight.

Technically-exquisite Rigondeaux was dead on at 122lbs for his super bantamweight bust-up

Teon Kennedy aims to take the title away from Rigo and weighed the same as the Cuban

Contender Kennedy (17-1-2, 9ko) takes on Rigondeaux (9-0-0, 7ko) for the latter’s WBA super bantamweight world championship. While, on paper, it seems Rigo is the inexperienced of the two, the champion has huge amateur experience (over 400 fights) and is regarded to be one of the most aesthetically-pleasing boxers of the lighter weight classes.

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) and Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko) duke it out in the main event but Bradley believes Manny is not focussed, believes he’ll be the second fighter to defeat him on US terrain and even stared Pacquiao down at the weigh-in.

In total, there were 4,000 pro Pac fans to witness their man register his official weight

Pacquiao came in at a career-high weight of 147lbs. The champion averages a 144lb weight as a welter

Bradley successfully stared Pacquiao down as Manny lasted 10 seconds before smiling and collecting clothes from Buboy

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Photos: Bradley all business, Pacquiao’s refusal to play games and ring girls at final presser

8 Jun

Photos: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

Reigning WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao and his challenger, three-time junior welterweight world titlist Timothy Bradley, arrived in Las Vegas on June 5 to much media hurrah and attracted a plethora of camera flashes at the final press conference yesterday, June 7. Filipino icon Pacquiao was his usual chipper self, while self-assured Bradley was all business during the face. The two headline the June 9 card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

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Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) makes the 3rd defence of his WBO title while Bradley boxes in his 8th championship bout

Despite documented fractions in Team Pacquiao, conditioner Alex Ariza (left) will still be a second in Manny’s corner

Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko) was comfortable and smiling with his long-time trainer Joel Diaz

A veteran of pay-per-view promotions, Pacquiao’s mic skills pleased his coach Freddie Roach

Bradley is so confident of slaying Pacquiao that he already envisions an immediate rematch

Pacquiao shows off the ring the WBO presented to him

An accomplished welterweight, Pacquiao’s body of work in the division is impressive as he has already accumulated victories over Miguel Cotto (12 Rd TKO), Joshua Clottey (12 Rd UD), Antonio Margarito (12 Rd UD), Shane Mosley (12 Rd UD) and Juan Manuel Marquez (12 Rd MD). All of his triumphs at 147lbs have been comprehensive aside from his most recent, to Mexican nemesis Marquez, as analysts regarded Juan Manuel to have bossed the contest for the majority of rounds. Against Bradley, though, Pacquiao is said to be eager to put in a performance that will remind fans of the skill-set he used to notch up a variety of titles in eight divisions.

Bradley, in contrast, has only once fought at welterweight in the past five years; against Luis Carlos Abregu. The American’s quality, though, shined at 140lbs as he demonstrated fine ring skills and a winner’s mentality. His most notable scalps include Devon Alexander (10Rd TD), Lamont Peterson (12 Rd UD) and Junior Witter (12 Rd SD).

For the first time in four years (David Diaz), Pacman has a notable height advantage over his opponent

The Tecate girls provided the final press conference with some visual ‘caracter’

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Timothy Bradley doesn’t know if Manny Pacquiao ever took steroids but thinks clean fighters should take the test

7 Jun

Words: Robert Delgado – Los Angeles

Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

With the collapse of two high-profile fights – Victor Ortiz versus Andre Berto II coupled with the Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan rematch – drug-testing continues to be one of boxing’s hot topics and, ahead of his duel with WBO welterweight world champion Manny Pacquiao on June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, undefeated Californian challenger Timothy Bradley has stated that clean fighters should have no issue with blood testing.

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Naturally athletic Bradley believes drug testing should not be an issue

“Drug testing was never brought up during our negotiations,” said Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko), revealing the only testing both fighters have been subject to will be by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The 28-year-old, though, would have wanted more: “Is it something I would like? Sure, I wouldn’t mind.

“If you are clean, you shouldn’t have a problem taking the test. I’m not worried. Pacquiao is Pacquiao. I don’t know if Pacquiao ever used steroids or not, you know, bring it on. His last couple performances have not been that great.”

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) was once considered the undoubted pound-for-pound champion, however, an underwhelming performance over Shane Mosley (unanimous decision; May, 2011) followed by a narrow and inconclusive victory over long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez (unanimous decision; November, 2011) have left question marks over the Filipino’s grip on that accolade.

“Personal problems can definitely affect a fighter in the ring,” said Bradley of the vices and troubles that were cited as distractions that led to a sub-par but still triumphant Pacquiao.

“Mentally you have to be dialed in and be focused. If not, it will take a toll on you in the ring. You need to be dialed in on what you need to do. If that’s the excuse he is using then I believe it. Marquez has that style that gives you fits and they have fought three times already and each was a very close fight. I think Marquez just knows how to fight him.”

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Teon Kennedy on the tragic obstacles he’s faced along the road to Guillermo Rigondeaux

6 Jun

On The Beak – Admin

Teon Kennedy (17-1-2, 7ko) of Philadelphia, who challenges undefeated WBA bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0-0, 7ko), of Cuba, on Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley championship card, has had to overcome two fairly recent family life-shattering incidents that would have broken less-resolute fighters.

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Kennedy’s next obstacle is Rigo (pictured). Credit: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

Late in 2009, Kennedy knocked out Francisco Rodriguez in the tenth round of their scheduled 12-round contest for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title. Kennedy’s elation at winning was short-circuited when Rodriguez collapsed in his corner, was rushed to the hospital and died of a brain injury two days later.

No one prepares a fighter for when the most tragic possible ending occurs in a fight: “When it first happened it was difficult, but as anyone in boxing knows that could happen,” said Kennedy, who was 13-0-1 and 23-years-old at the time. “It could happen to me. Sometimes I do still think about it, but I try not to dwell on it.”

Kennedy did not fight for six months, but he had the encouragement of his team as well as that of the Rodriguez family to get back into the ring.

He came back with three good wins, including a scintillating performance, a 12-round unanimous decision over then-undefeated prospect Julio Diaz, of New Brunswick.

The second life-altering incident occurred in mid 2011.

Kennedy was charged with a felony stemming from a shooting in Philadelphia. Those charges were later dropped, but it played on Kennedy’s mind as he prepared for a fight last August that, had he won, could have led to a match with undefeated Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba, in a world featherweight title fight.

He went through with the fight last August and lost his first bout as a pro, a 12-round decision to Alejandro Lopez, of Mexico, in a lacklustre performance: “The legal issues were definitely in my head,” Kennedy said.

“It’s hard to be falsely accused of something I did not do. That was probably the main reason I didn’t feel like myself.”

He put his first setback and his legal charges behind him and he got back in the gym quickly. Boxing experts weren’t sure if he’d rebound, but he turned in a strong performance in his most recent fight, a draw against the once-beaten Chris Martin, of Chula Vista, in January in Las Vegas. Many observers felt Kennedy, the aggressor for most of the fight, deserved the win.

Kennedy feels that he has come to grips with the arduous road he has had to travel the last several years.

“Everything bad is in the past now,” said Kennedy, who is looking to pull off the upset against the favored Rigondeaux. “I’m just focused on the fight. I’m still going to be aggressive.”

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The flaws in Manny Pacquiao’s style, training vigorously and being a student all boost Timothy Bradley’s confidence

6 Jun

Words: Alan Dawson – London

Photos: Chris Farina/ Top Rank

Perpetual Manny Pacquiao nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez and pay-per-view attraction Floyd Mayweather Jr will have no doubt been top of consensus shortlists for the Filipino welterweight’s summer opponent but, as June 9 closes in, the determination and confidence shown by Pacquiao’s erstwhile unlikely challenger Timothy Bradley has left fight scribes wondering… can the unbeaten American defeat Pac? The man himself makes an extraordinary case…

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A family affair: Timothy Bradley Sr (left) is a key part of Bradley’s team, along with Joel Diaz (right)

He’s a chest-thumping, prove-to-me-your-better-than-me junior welterweight champion with natural athleticism, sterling boxing skills and, above all, a drive that is now so well documented that it has almost become one of the focal points of the promotion for his match-up with pound-for-pound mainstay Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Bradley (28-0-0, 12ko) is well prepared… has been living the weight having embarked on a near 15-week training camp and is expected to scale in at either 144lbs or 145lbs at the weigh-in on Friday, one day prior to the WBO welterweight world title showdown.

“I am ready to take the throne,” said the 28-year-old California, an accomplished pugilist who will be thrust into his greatest test this weekend. Ever fearless, he added: “I am in the best shape of my life [and] am ready to deliver.”

Bradley’s self-belief is not unfounded. He has, in the past, triumphed in a 140lb world title unification (Devon Alexander), rose from the canvas to grind out a victory (Kendall Holt) and outclassed a man whose infighting troubled popular British prizefighter Amir Khan in a win that now has added prestige (Lamont Peterson). Aye, Bradley has come a long way since bursting onto the elite level by doing what Lucian Bute failed to do – that is, head into Nottingham, and leave his opponent’s homeland with a world title (Junior Witter), however, all those triumphs have one thing in common; they were achieved on account of possessing a higher point total over the distance, rather than inside it, and so a common criticism of Desert Storm Tim is that he lacks concussive power.

“I systematically break guys down,” Bradley explained. “I get in the ring… they say I don’t have power but then they feel me and feel my strength. As soon as they get hit, they want to hold, [especially in] the last couple of fights. It makes it hard for me to really get my work in. I break them down and take every punch away from them,” he stated. A clear student of the sport, he continued: “[It] starts with the jab, I take that away then I take the straight left away. Hit them in the body, break them down and apply the pressure. If you’re not hitting hard in there and I don’t feel threatened then I’m going to take it to you.”

Manny is lauded for his ambidexterity when it comes to trading shots, but the world-title magnet largely lines up on the portside, something Bradley is accustomed to having recently squared off against both Alexander and Joel Casamayor, retiring the latter inside eight rounds. Pacquiao is also famed for his speed – both of fist and of foot – together with his power.

“My last opponents have been southpaw,” he said. “Casamayor is a little over the hill but still crafty… people said he had tremendous power but I didn’t feel any. My pace was high and most people can’t fight at that pace which is my strength and how I win fights the majority of the time. For this fight I will have to be a lot smarter.

“Pacquiao hits hard with the right and the left hand so I’ll be able to feel him out in the first round and see what he really has. If he does have some power then I will definitely have to be smarter in there and outbox [him]. But if I don’t feel like he can hurt me then I’m going to make a fight out of it.”

Bradley has sparred hundreds of rounds, completed many miles of roadwork and now winds down ahead of Saturday

One of the toughest assignments a trainer can have is to be tasked with finding a Pacquiao replica in order to get his charge comfortable with a style deemed so great it, along with the man’s achievements, landed Manny the fighter of the decade award from 2000-2009. Joel Diaz, Bradley’s head cornerman, though, enlisted three or four sparring partners with alternative best assets/physical traits and ordered them to go to war with Tim who, in total, sparred between 160 and 200 rounds, going a few rounds with each partner before swapping, in order to keep himself fresh.

Did any of those spars help Bradley learn how to successfully block or evade a fighter mimicking Pacquiao’s monstrous left hand? “In the beginning of training camp I was getting hit with it but now I am stepping underneath it – great defense and great footwork and counter-punching,” he explained. “I’ve been looking really good and not getting hit a lot in training camp. I am dialed in on the left hand.”

How does he anticipate being able to cope with Pacquiao’s power? This is, after all, a man who stopped Miguel Cotto, separated Ricky Hatton from his senses in six minutes, forced Oscar de la Hoya to quit on his stool and pulverised Antonio Margarito’s eye socket. Bradley provided an answer that will draw allusions to the Juan Manuel Marquez method of deterring Pacquiao – counter-punching.

“I had some big guys, some big punchers come in to keep me on my toes. I had a kid coming out of LA, an undefeated kid, a big puncher, lefty and strong. He threw 150 punches in one round and he’s a heavy puncher so my eyes were wide open. I was ducking and weaving and trying to counter punch to get this big guy off me before he took my head off.”

Aside from his winner’s mentality, undefeated record and productive training camp, where does all the confidence come from?  “For the last four years I have been studying this guy, looking at and admiring him [but] this is my time. I’m putting it all on the line so you are going to see a great fight.

“I’m not in there to survive [or] for a paycheck. I am in there to win. I am going [to do] whatever it takes to win. If it takes infighting, that’s what I’ll do because Pacquiao doesn’t fight well inside – look at all his fights – he doesn’t fight well inside. He throws combinations then steps out and comes in on an angle. He doesn’t like to stay there and bang [but] if he comes in to bang – I’ll go to boxing. I am a schooled fighter – I know when to box.

“I am going to take it to Pacquiao,” he concluded.

If Bradley takes Pacquiao’s belt, a lucrative rematch would beckon, together with a potential Mayweather bout

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