Last night won’t go down as one of the most memorable performances in the career of Timothy Bradley, but he found a way to defeat previously undefeated champion Devon Alexander as he successfully defended his WBO junior welterweight crown while recapturing the WBC piece he once held. Bradley, who edged his 23-year old counterpart with slight aggression inside of the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, now seems poised for bigger bounty and mentioned three specific names during his post-fight interview with HBO’s Larry Merchant. Amir Khan and Marcos Maidana seem to be at the top of Bradley’s wish list, fully realizing he would serve himself well by cleaning house at 140 pounds, with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao being Bradley’s ultimate goal. Khan successfully defended his WBA crown last month over Maidana at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in one of 2010’s finest fights and either would present their share of challenges to Bradley. A fight with Pacquiao would be even more dangerous and is probably a mountain too steep at this point despite Bradley’s proven strengths.
<--- Slideshow: Images of Timothy Bradley vs. Devon Alexander
While all three names are interesting in their own right, Bradley’s promoter Gary Shaw seems to have another option on deck. Speaking to BoxingScene.com’s Ryan Burton, who made the trek to Detroit from Las Vegas to take in the festivities of last night’s card, Shaw revealed that the time is now for Bradley to go after one of the sport’s top dogs.
“Without question we want Floyd Mayweather next,” an adamant Shaw stated. Burton also noted that the promoter will be meeting with HBO in the coming week to discuss his fighter’s future. Undefeated at 27 years of age and willing to face the sport’s best, Bradley is one of the more recognizable names in the sport who reside outside of the cusp of superstardom.
Mayweather has been out of the ring since his dominant victory over Shane Mosley last May and is currently awaiting trial in March in relation to several felony charges that stem for a September altercation with his ex-fiance Josie Harris. For well over a year people have been dying to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight but it is unknown now whether Floyd will ever set foot into the ring again.
I have been frequenting Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas in hopes of running into him but everyone in the facility says that Floyd only swings by on the rarest of occasions. I was able to speak with the star fighter’s trainer and Uncle Roger, who noted that his nephew will be returning and that making more money is a huge motivation right now.
Images galleries
Mark Melligen trains at Floyd’s gym
In camp with Nonito Donaire
Top Rank protege Jose Benavidez Jr.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading on Examiner.com: “We want Floyd Mayweather next” – Gary Shaw on Timothy Bradley’s future – Las Vegas boxing | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-las-vegas/we-want-floyd-mayweather-next-gary-shaw-on-timothy-bradley-s-future#ixzz1CXLlAvUf
