He wasn?t bent on proving people wrong, as he was in both his fights against Manny Pacquiao and his grueling war with Ruslan Provodnikov. Instead, he was in light-hearted mood Thursday. He sounded as if the world was lifted from his shoulders when it was his turn to speak on the podium. He even mugged for the camera and directed every fighter on the card to pose properly for the cameras afterward.
So does this mean he has finally gotten over his loss to Pacquiao ? the first of Bradley?s career ? in April?
?When the bell rings I officially put Manny Pacquiao behind me,? Bradley (31-1, 12 KOs) said after the formal portion of the press conference. ?I?m clear headed going into this fight. I wasn?t really clear headed in the last Pacquiao fight because I still felt I had a lot to prove with the controversial first fight. Now that it?s behind me I feel like I can go do what I do.?
When Bradley fought Pacquiao on April 12, it was evident that he was trying to prove to both the boxing world and himself that his controversial victory in their first fight was no fluke. With every overloaded swing, it appeared that he was releasing tension and whittling down the tremendous chip he had on his shoulder.
It was the wrong game plan but Bradley can always say he went down swinging and owns a victory over one of the best fighters in the world, although it wasn?t easy to accept the fact he had lost for the first time.
?I can go with a lot of should?ve, could?ve, would?ve but I didn?t choose that night to do what I needed to for whatever reason. It?s behind me so now I have to live in the present,? Bradley said.
?? It takes a couple of weeks to get over losing when you go undefeated your whole career. It sucks that I lost but if you go back and look at some of the best fighters that have ever fought, they have losses too.?
Bradley?s comeback begins Saturday against a rough, tough fighter.
?There is no doubt in my mind that I?m going to beat him,? Bradley said of the hard-punching Argentine, who is coming off a disqualification loss in a dirty fight against Brandon Rios in August.
Bradley said he?s well aware of Chaves? bag of dirty tricks and will be prepared for whatever is thrown at him ? and offer double in return.
?We?re the type of fighters that bring intensity to the ring and boxing fans know that they are going to get a real fight when they see us,? Bradley said.
Bradley wouldn?t divulge his game plan but made it clear that his experience as a counterpuncher and high boxing IQ will result in his hand being raised in victory. And after that, he seems himself as a benefactor in the thawing of boxing?s Cold War between his promoter, Top Rank, and Golden Boy Promotions.
The former two-division titleholder now has potential big-name opponents beyond Pacquiao, Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.
?I don?t name names because that?s bad for business but I?ll fight them all,? he said with a smile spread across his face.
First he must take care of business against Chaves. And judging by his attitude, he?s going enjoy himself for the first time in a long time when he steps inside the ring.
?I came off of a couple of big pay-per-views and this is simply less stressful,? Bradley said. ?There?s not as much promotional stuff to do so I?m just happy that I?m able to rest and conserve energy. But on Saturday night, we?re going to give the fans what they want.?
