On Thursday afternoon, Timothy Bradley could be found inside of the MGM Grand?s makeshift media tent in Las Vegas ahead of his Saturday night collision with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Despite being one of the sport?s more complete and well-rounded champions in recent years while building up a 28-0 record with 12 knockouts, Bradley was a bit of an unknown character to the general public before the bout?s signing. All that has changed since February, when Bradley inked his contract to face his newfound Filipino rival, as he has been greeted with a media blitz ahead of the biggest fight of his life.
Fielding varying questions from members of the media over the months and with the spotlight shining down upon him, Bradley insists he is soaking everything in.
?There?s always going to be repetitive questions, but you just take it and you just roll with it,? Bradley told me during our last sit-down before the fight. ?I?m an easy-going type of dude and you can ask me pretty much anything you want. It doesn?t bother me at all. I appreciate everything that has come my way. Because I?ve came a long way and why not enjoy it while you?re here??
There has been an unwavering sense of confidence coming from Bradley since the lead up to the fight and he insists that he has no reason to worry as his date with destiny inches closer.
?I?m nice, calm, cool, and collected,? said Bradley. ?I?m set out on a mission. This is my moment. There?s no need to be scared. This is what I do; I fight. Once I get in the ring, it?s on.?
It was a peculiar scene on Wednesday afternoon at the final Pacquiao-Bradley presser. With the two fighters facing off and posing for the cameras, you could tell a clear difference in each man, with Pacquiao smiling and carefree while Bradley?s face was as stern as ever as he offered up a cold glare.
Asked if he is going to try to intimidate Pacquiao at today?s weigh-in, Bradley gave a hint that something might be going down.
?I?m here to seek and destroy, period,? said Bradley. ?Hands down, seek and destroy. All the fun and games, that?s over with. I?m in a different mindset now. I?m in training mode. I?m in beast mode right now. I?m a serious guy. Everything that I?ve done in training camp, somebody?s got to pay for that. He said he went through heaven in his training camp, I went through hell in my training camp. Somebody?s got to pay for that, so he?s going to pay.?
