Tim Bradley: "I'm damned if i do, damned if I don't (pull out of the Marquez fight)

At one point, it looked like the fight may not even happen at all because of Bradley’s disagreement on who was suppose to conduct the drug testing. But Bradley eventually caved in and explained why.

“I had to go through with it because they (Nevada) basically already had made the decision to do that and in order for me to get licensed in Nevada, you have to do their testing. You know it’s like they had a gun to my head to do the testing. But I’m going to go out and still do VADA because I’m a man of my word. I’m a pay for my damn testing and prove that I’m clean. Everyone knows that’s the true testing. VADA is like the new I Phone 5. USADA is like the regular I Phone. You know the IPHONE 5 is completely upgraded and that’s what VADA is. There are more stipulations and more things that they test for, more than the other companies. You know they don’t allow anything that’s illegal or elevated. USADA isn’t a bad company but they allow 4 to 1 ratios while VADA doesn’t. It’s just stricter and by the book. I’m basically proving to the world I’m a clean athlete. I’m willing to do the best and get tested by the best because I am the best, why wouldn’t this guy (Marquez) get tested by the best company out there? I still don’t have a flat answer as to why he won’t do the testing.”

Manny Pacquiao asked for VADA testing in his upcoming bout with Brandon Rios after being knocked out by Marquez. Although he wouldn’t flat out say if it was the knockout that brought him to that decision, he did say he feels that there are dirty athletes in the sport. (http://thaboxingvoice.com/pacquiao-...rios-and-tells-mayweather-im-still-here/17635). Bradley feels the same and that’s why he’s advocating for random blood and urine testing in all of his fights moving forward.

“It wasn’t the knockout. It’s because how is this dude going to go from 122 to 147 and all of a sudden he has a crazy physique. When I thought all these other fighters taking steroids and taking illegal substances, you know what from now on, I’m going test everyone I get in the ring with. That’s the reason I tested Ruslan (Provodnikov) and so forth. Now with the fight with Marquez, the first thing I said before we discuss money, let’s talk about drug testing. Is this guy willing to do VADA, well let’s see? Obviously he wasn’t,” explained Bradley.

If he feels so strongly about taking a stand, maybe he shouldn’t have taken the fight. But Bradley had to come to grips with what he says is reality in the sport. It’s all about money and him not taking the fight wouldn’t make him any to feed his family and would waste his prime sitting on the sideline being at odds with his promoter and network

“At the end of the day my hands are tied. I’m skeptical but I can’t not take the fight. if I don’t take the fight, I’m damned and deal with the consequences and if I do, I’m skeptical but I got to prepare myself the best I can possibly be, I don’t want to **** of HBO and the date is set. He (Marquez) is doing Nevada drug testing so I guess that’s ok for most people. But I’m doing VADA and the drug testing from Nevada. So I’m doing double testing just to show the fans I’m a clean athlete. And that’s all I can do. I can win the fight, it’s not based on how much muscles you have. I believe I’ll win this fight because I’m a strong guy too. If I don’t take this fight, then I **** off HBO then my contract gets extended with Top Rank because I pass on another fight and my family won’t eat. It’s a double edge sword. I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Marquez is doing the testing and I’m doing the double testing and that’s what it is.”

Source: ThaBoxingVoice