Here's an interview with Timothy Bradley at his recent media workout in California, which he shared with Juan Manuel Marquez. Bradley makes his debut for Top Rank on Saturday night, facing Joel Casamayor.
Bradley: "I'm ready. I'm ready. I just wanna say that boy better be ready, because I'm extremely ready. (Editor's Note: Timothy Bradley is ready.) This is probably one of the best camps that I've ever had. Just yesterday I sparred 12 rounds with three different sparring partners, and no problem. I'm in great shape, I'm determined, and I definitely will be the next superstar in boxing."
I do like this whole thing where they're acting like they've rescued Timothy Bradley from boxing's slums, as if they've plucked an unknown gem of a fighter from the Carolina club circuit and are bringing him to the big city, where he shows up with a $30 suit and a cardboard suitcase. "Golly," Bradley the hayseed remarks upon seeing the flashing neon lights of the Las Vegas strip.
This is a guy who has been a main eventer on HBO twice, was a main eventer on Showtime, and in his last fight, made a seven-figure payday. Yes, Bradley vs Alexander was a huge live flop as it was ridiculously set in the run-down Silverdome of Pontiac, Mich., but the fight was an HBO main event that about as many people watched as watch anything on HBO. This idea that Bradley fighting in front of 1-1.5 million people on pay-per-view is some big step up for him, against a shot Joel Casamayor, is exaggerated to say the least. If anything, this should be the easiest fight Tim Bradley has had in three years.