You want a resume? Timothy Bradley’s got your resume right here.
Two world championship belts at 140 pounds and another at 147 pounds, the latter of which came from his win (albeit a controversial one) over perhaps the most recognizable active fighter on the planet.
Bradley’s not competed since dropping an April rematch of that victory against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, so to suggest that he’s champing at the bit to get back into the ring Saturday night — when he’ll meet Argentine veteran Diego Chaves in a scheduled 12- rounder at welterweight — is something along the lines of a heavyweight understatement.
?As always, I’m ready,? he said. ?My head is clear.
?I know what I’m set out to do, and I’m just going to go out there and do my job. I’m ready to produce. I’m ready to go out there and do what Bradley does.?
What that’s been so far in a 10-year pro career, outside of the springtime setback, is win.
In fact, the now 31-year-old is 31-1 with one no-contest in 33 fights, including three triumphs in four matches at welterweight since he arrived in the division full time in 2012.
That run began with the aforementioned defeat of Pacquiao in June, and was followed nine months later with a stirring decision over then- unheralded slugger Ruslan Provodnikov in what the Boxing Writers Association of America deemed the best fight of 2013.
Bradley then faced Juan Manuel Marquez — who was coming off his own sixth-round KO of Pacquiao — and won a tactical split decision that instantly elevated him to low single-digits on most respected pound- for-pound lists. The return bout with Pacquiao came next, and though he lost eight of 12 rounds on two scorecards and 10 of 12 on the other, Bradley doesn’t feel as if the brand has been dented.
?When you stay away from the sport, the sport definitely can forget about you,? he said.
?There’s always guys that are making noise out there. But when I come back, it’s great, because everybody seemed to miss me. I know I’m right back in people’s minds as soon as they start mentioning my name again. I’ve gained more fans over the last few years of this boxing game than ever before. You should see the reception I get when I’m walking around anywhere, it’s been fantastic.?
Chaves is ranked seventh among welterweights by the World Boxing Association (WBA) and ninth by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), while Bradley is listed fourth by the IBF and second by both the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and International Boxing Organization (IBO).
Still, though a victory over a foe beneath him may not yield a ratings spike, it would put Bradley a step closer to returning to the big-fight discussions he believes he’s entitled to be part of. But, he said, if that high-end chatter doesn’t translate to a third match with Pacquiao or a long-desired showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr., then another rise on the scale isn’t out of the question.
?I just want to continue to fight the best. I’ve got a vision right now and a goal in mind that I want to fight at 154 pounds against one of the top 154-pounders out there,? he said. ?That’s another vision that I’m having and another challenge that I’m embracing. That’s always an opportunity.
?I’m going to continue on my course to become a legend in this sport, and to become a Hall of Fame fighter by having a Hall of Fame resume. That’s by fighting the best. That’s what it’s about: in your weight class, above your weight class or below your weight class. That’s what I’m going to continue to do.?
Weekend Watch List ESPN2 ? Thursday, 10 p.m. Antonio Tarver vs. Johnathon Banks — 10 rounds, heavyweights
Showtime — Friday, 10:15 p.m. Erislandy Lara vs. Ishe Smith — 12 rounds, junior middleweights Chris Pearson vs. Steve Martinez — 10 rounds, junior middleweights Badou Jack vs. Francisco Sierra — 10 rounds, super middleweights
Showtime — Saturday, 9 p.m. Amir Khan vs. Devon Alexander — 12 rounds, welterweights Keith Thurman vs. Leonard Bundu — 12 rounds, welterweights Abner Mares vs. Jose Ramirez — 10 rounds, featherweights Jermall Charlo vs. Lenny Bottai — 12 rounds, junior middleweights
HBO — Saturday, 10 p.m. Timothy Bradley vs. Diego Chaves — 12 rounds welterweights Matt Korobov vs. Andy Lee — WBO middleweight title Mauricio Herrera vs. Jose Benavidez — 12 rounds, junior welterweights
UniMas — Saturday, 11 p.m. Felix Verdejo vs. Karim El Ouazghari — eight rounds, lightweights
