INDIO ? With the support of his family and an unwavering faith in his abilities, Timothy Bradley overcame the party lifestyle of a young man and disappointment of not making the U.S. Olympic team.
Now, the Cathedral City boxer is on the brink of super-stardom as he prepares to face ?fighter of the decade? Manny Pacquiao in a pay-per-view event Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
?I’m ready for this, I’m ready for stardom,? the undefeated 28-year-old Bradley said. ?I can handle it. It won’t go to my head.?
To understand how Bradley reached this point in his career, one first must understand how that career evolved.
Despite a standout amateur career, Bradley was not a hot boxing prospect for top promoters. Since he didn’t sign with a big promoter there was no signing bonus to provide an income and allow him to train full-time.
Bradley started his professional career in 2004 by fighting in four-round bouts for $1,000, with that amount increasing a bit with each victory. A majority of Bradley’s early bouts occurred at a hotel ballroom in Ontario or at a warehouse parking lot in Corona. Bradley never fought outside Southern California.
During Bradley’s first 15 fights, he worked part-time as a food server at Coco’s off I-10 and Washington, and at Mimi’s Cafe across the street from The River in Rancho Mirage. He lived paycheck-to-paycheck.
Despite Bradley’s early struggles, he was full of confidence. He believed in his physical abilities, and he had faith that he could find a way to succeed.
?I’m the type of guy who fights back,? Bradley said. ?I don’t lie down and let life beat me up. I’m a guy who will find a way. If I had to go back to work and do whatever it takes, that’s what I would do.?
Looking back, Bradley said he doesn’t resent having to fight to get ahead. He appreciated it.
When people talk about what stands out about Bradley as a boxer, the common answer has always been his heart and determination. Bradley believes that was forged through the difficult times he overcame.
