EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! Bradley talks Pacquiao and leaving Khan behind

by yours truly

Before picking up the

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to call Timothy Bradley and discuss all things Manny Pacquiao it was hard not to remember the last time that I spoke to him.

24th May 2011, Bradley’s mood was one of agitation, frustration and some confusion. His long term association with promoter Gary Shaw was winding down and he was without a fight date, an opponent and generally something to look forward to inside the ring.

He was sick of being a yes sir, no sir;

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bags fool sir kind of guy to those that were responsible for his career. Four months earlier a

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140lb title fight with Devon Alexander should have defined either, if not both men’s careers. The fight came with anticipation but also poor promotion. After a ten round let down everyone

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switched off annoyed with the sport in general.

So after a few lines of “hello, can you hear me” from Tim thanks to some troublesome trans-atlantic communication problems, the man speaking to me now was a flipside to the caged individual I spoke to almost nine months ago.

“A change of promoters was something that I had to do,” he said.

“I had to what I had to do. I had to go in a new direction. I had to make changes for my

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.”

Now, the 28-year old is part of the Bob Arum juggernaut at Top

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. Before the ink dried on his contract last September, all bets were on their latest acquisition to sign up and fight their greatest asset: Manny Pacquiao.

“Being part of Top Rank is to be part of a wonderful organisation that for many years has built superstars and champions. They want me to be a household name. To be part of this fight is a beautiful thing. I’m able and I’m ready to go.”

It was hard not to imagine of Bradley talking with a big smile on his face. He has of course won boxing’s equivalent of the lottery.

Floyd Jr. would argue otherwise.

On June 9th he has the opportunity to do what no-one has achieved since Erik Morales in 2005, beat the Pac-Man and condemn him to his fourth professional defeat.

Months away from the Las Vegas showdown for the WBO welterweight title, Bradley already had his fighting talk down to a tee. All that was missing was a red cap with the word ‘WAR’ on it.

“This is do or die for me,” was the American’s battle cry.

“It’s not a case of wanting to win the fight I have to win it for me, my family and my friends.

This fight against Manny Pacquiao means everything to me. I’ve worked all my life for this opportunity. This has been 18 years of my life

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up to June 9th. This is the fight, the moment that will solidify me as one of the greats in boxing.”

Bradley has not been fooled by those that are quietly wondering if Pacquiao is there for the taking, particularly after the ‘final’ part of his trilogy with nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez only a few months ago.

The old cliché of “styles make fights” was the first line of Bradley’s response to those wondering if the Filipino phenom is on the slide.

However, as Pacquiao prepares to go into battle for the 60th time in 17 years, the scars of war are appearing more visible than ever. Timing is everything in sport. Maybe one fight too many will be the champion’s downfall and the challenger’s gain?

“I can’t prepare myself on what happened in his last fight. But I will say this; I’m young, I’m hungry, I’m a lion, I’m durable, I have speed, I have movement and I bring it all to the table. I have the tools to get it done.

On the other side though I don’t think Manny has lost a step, he’s still explosive, capable, quick and powerful. He is still the real

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.”

And what of Pacquiao’s concerns about the use of the younger lion’s

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in this contest?

“I don’t really care what anybody says,” replied Bradley

“I don’t practice dirty tactics. I don’t go in to commit fouls; I got no reason to do any of that.

Boxing isn’t a sport that can be pretty

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all the time. It’s a fight, its two men hitting each other. I don’t cheat, I don’t low blow, I don’t do fouls but I am a rough and tough cookie in there. But I am in there to win fair and square.”

Timothy Bradley has fought tooth and nail from Nottingham to Mississippi to

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to land the golden ticket under those shiny lights at the MGM Grand in Vegas. He’s always wanted to be recognised as one of the best and has often wondered why that’s never happened. The Alexander fight should’ve done that and more but it didn’t. Win, lose or draw his recognition will be taken care of thanks to Pacquiao.

“I’ve bled, I’ve sweat, I’ve cried all in the gym. I’ve earned this right, this chance. My lifestyle has completely changed will my family financially taken care of. We’re able to eat, live comfortably and not worry from fight to fight, paycheck to paycheck.”

And what of his former rival, Amir Khan and the recent nosedive that his career has taken thanks to Lamont Peterson and the man in the hat?

“I beat the guy that beat Amir Khan and I’ll be honest I take a lot of satisfaction from that and where he is and where I am now. Khan’s had to beg to get that rematch with Peterson.”

Khan will have to get in line if Bradley topples one of the sport’s all-time greats and become boxing’s most wanted. For now, he’s happy to play the role of underdog.

“I enjoy proving people wrong, I’ve been the underdog my whole life. And when I beat Pacquiao I’m prepared for what comes with it. I’ll have a big red target on my back and I can’t wait for that.”