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Say what you will about undefeated junior welterweight boss Timothy Bradley, but it?s easy to spot that his confidence is anything close to false bravado.
While nothing alarming may stand out about the Palm Springs, California native?s talent, he is certainly one of the most well-rounded champions in the sport and has shown noticeable progression from one fight to the next in compiling a 28-0 record with 12 knockouts.
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<--- Bonus slideshow of the Pacquiao-Bradley press tour: Go behind the scenes at the coast to coast tour as Bradley hits up ESPN's studios, Pacquiao listens to advice from Roach, the two teams appear on HBO's Faceoff, and much more
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Bradley is in line for the biggest fight of his career, a June 9th assignment against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and he spent this past week on a coast to coast tour with the Filipino star.
While taking care of their promotional obligations in Los Angeles and New York respectively, the two fighters had several chances to face off with one another, whether at packed press conferences, amidst commercial shoots, or behind the scenes during the taping of HBO?s Faceoff segment. Advertisement
Speaking with RingTV.com?s Lem Satterfield over the weekend, Bradley came away from his whirlwind week feeling that he is clearly the bigger man in the fight despite being the one moving up in weight.
?Oh, yeah. I’m way bigger than him,? Bradley would say. ?I walk around at 160, 165. You know, I’m way bigger than him. Pacquiao’s like an inch or an inch and a half taller than I am, but I like them tall. I mean, I’m strong and I’m a lot thicker than he is, and I looked like I’m a lot stronger. I know that he can’t bench press no 300 pounds. I am physically stronger, and I’m younger and I feel good.?
Bradley went on to commend Pacquiao for his jovial nature during their time together and seemed to respect the way in which his opponent is able to flip a switch and dominate most opponents inside of the ring, as Manny is presently riding a fifteen-bout unbeaten streak dating back to his March 2005 decision loss to Erik Morales.
Still, there?s a reason they fight the fights, says the underdog Bradley.
?Well, the bottom line, at the end of the day, is that when it’s the time to fight, you’ve still got to prove that you’re better than me,? Bradley stated. ?So I think that he’s a great fighter, but I can’t wait to get it on on June 9.?
This past weekend, Bradley watched with great interest as former champion Devon Alexander moved up to 147 pounds and produced one of his best performances in years, thoroughly outclassing junior welterweight champion Marcos Maidana, who was also moving up in weight.
Bradley won an ugly yet clear technical-decision over Alexander in a unification bout in January of last year and reaffirmed that seeing his former foe do so well after venturing north to the welterweight class is something that gives him extra motivation.
?Absolutely, man. Without a doubt,? said Bradley. ?I feel that at 147, I’m going to be a lot stronger, and I’m going to bring my speed up there with me. I’m going to bring power up with me. A lot of people don’t know where I came from, but I’m going to be a handful at 147, man. I fought at 147 pounds in the amateurs, and I was a monster at that weight class.?
