This guy feels he’s better than I am, and it’s my job to teach him, ‘hey boy, you’re in with the king right now.’
There’s no such thing as an “easy fight” for a volume puncher. Without the equalizer of a big punch to go home early, the majority of their fights have to be near-perfect displays of trench warfare. Gradually over every round, they look deeper into the soul of their opponent until they subsequently break his will in half.
Or their own will is broken.
Timothy Bradley would have it no other way. The 27-year-old, WBO junior welterweight champion wants to look into the soul of 23-year-old Devon Alexander, who he sees as a brash, naïve kid. It’s a fight the fans have been pushing for the last year, as it’s the first step to finalizing who “the man” is in the division. For Bradley, it’s the first step of an ambitious goal to unify the division’s four titles, clean out all the top contenders, and head for a showdown with either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather. Read how the Desert Storm plans to make it a reality.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What’s been your main training focus over the last week?
Timothy Bradley: I’ve just going over the game plan the last few weeks. Since three weeks ago, I’ve been physically ready. I’ve done 12 hours of sparring already, and I know I can go the distance. I’ve just been tampering down and finding the right game plan.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: What’s your normal training regimen?
Bradley: Normal training is first waking up and getting in my 6-8 miles. Then I come back and get ready for training from about noon until 3 PM. After that I pretty much just rest all day. Two times out of the week I’ll have a three-day training period, where I’ll train in the morning, afternoon, and night. I have my strength training with weight-lifting and various exercises.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: You were at 147 pounds back in July for your last fight. Did you have any difficulty scaling back down for this bout?
Bradley: No, I’m actually pretty trim right now. I’m walking around at about 145 right now as we speak. I go with my all-vegan diet, lots of cardio, and lots of hard work. The weight just sheds itself, no problems.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Your style consists of a lot of body punching and educated pressure. Do you have any questions about whether Devon Alexander has the toughness to withstand your style?
Bradley: I think Devon Alexander has enough heart to stand in there and fight with me. But I think if he does stand in there and fight with me that would be his biggest mistake because of how strong I am. I wear guys down. He has the will to win, and will be firing back at me. It’ll be a competitive fight, but I’m not sure it’ll go 12 rounds. We’ll wait and see. In this boxing game anything can happen. I’m ready to go 12 if I have to.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Based on the tape you’ve watched, what do you expect to be the toughest thing about Devon’s style?
Bradley: They say he’s quick. He looks pretty quick on TV. I know he stands in the pocket a lot, so he’s there for the return [shots] all the time. I’m not sure what their game plan is. I would think it would be to box and slug at some points in time. Devon’s a real slick southpaw and he throws lots of jabs. If I can isolate his jab, I’ll win the fight.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Let me throw an old quote at you from Muhammad Ali. When he was criticized for taunting and being cruel at times in the ring, he responded by saying “We’re out to be cruel, that’s what the boxing game is about.” How much animosity will you bring into the ring for this fight?
Bradley: It does get a little personal at times. Some things were said that I didn’t like and appreciate. This fight is kind of personal for me. Being a competitor, it’s just the way it is. This guy feels he’s better than I am, and it’s my job to teach him, “Hey boy, you’re in with the king right now.” Our emotions might kick in. I might do something crazy in there [laughs].
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Going back to an older fight, where did the animosity come from between you and Nate Campbell? I would have thought you two would get along.
Bradley: At first we were kind of cool. But it’s something about when you get close to fight day, those nerves start, and Nate started tripping. So I started tripping. Then after the fight, with the head butt controversy, he got the decision overturned. It’s all in the past. I haven’t talked to him, but I want him to enjoy his family and retirement.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Was it a smooth transition with you moved over to HBO from Showtime?
Bradley: Both networks are very professional. There wasn’t nothing really different that I saw. Everyone did their job very well.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Who are the names HBO has been pushing for you?
Bradley: We were really pushing for that Maidana fight. We both wanted that. But HBO all along were pushing more for the Devon fight. Pretty much everybody there and the general public [wanted it]. So those are the two fights that were pushed for. I’m willing to fight anyone as long as it makes sense business-wise.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Speaking of Maidana, what was your take on his fight with Amir Khan?
Bradley: I think Amir Khan did great. He started out very explosive; the kid is fast, man. I’ve never seen anyone that fast before. He throws a lot of fast combinations. He’s very determined and young. The way he fought made it great, the fact he stood there and took big shots. If he ran around all night, it wouldn’t have been the Fight of the Year. He survived round 10, and it speaks a lot for his heart and chin.
Marcos Maidana is a warrior. He got up from a liver shot and continued to fight. These guys have a lot of heart. All these fights are tough at this level. It’s like the NFL, the best that night will win. When the Seahawks upset last year’s world champs, I couldn’t believe it. Everyone has a chance in there. That’s the beauty about boxing.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Now when I mentioned Amir Khan to Devon, he played it off like that wouldn’t be an essential fight he’d need…
Bradley: Devon don’t know what he’s talking, man, he’s young. C’mon, man. He needs Amir Khan. I don’t even know what he’s thinking, dude [laughs]. He’s a fool if he thinks an Amir Khan fight won’t put money in his pocket. Amir Khan is huge over in England. That’d be a great money fight. He better stop playing himself.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: In 2010 you only had one fight. What’s the plan for your 2011 schedule? Being that you’re fighting next week, do you feel you can squeeze in three fights this year?
Bradley: If I can fight three times this year, man, that would be a blessing. I fought one time last year, and that’s pathetic to me. I like to stay busy. The busier I am, the stronger I get. God willing I’ll come out healthy from this fight with no injuries. I hope I can fight again in April or June, and then November or December. I’m contracted to fight twice this year, but hopefully I can get a third one in.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: How difficult was it to swallow hearing the big names like Mayweather and Pacquiao saying you’re not well-known enough to earn a fight with them?
Bradley: It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I’m learning another side of boxing. That’s how most fighters at that level think, and promoters. It’s nothing. I know I have some business to take care of at 140. There’s a lot of talent here. My goal is to win all the titles and then say [to the big names] “hey, let’s go…you have nowhere to win.” After I clean up 140, I think I’ll have a better chance at getting those guys.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Unifying the four titles is one of the most difficult things to do in boxing because of the politics. You win one or two, and they’re already trying to strip you of one because of a mandatory defense. This happened with Devon, causing him to lose his IBF strap. Would you be content just holding the RING magazine title?
Bradley: Absolutely. That’s the belt you want to have. There are no sanctioning fees, and you truly earn it. If I do capture Devon’s WBC title next week, and they start tripping, it is what it is. Everyone will know who the real champ is.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Who have you been checking out lately when you’re not training?
Bradley: You know there’s smaller guys like Nonito Donaire and Abner Mares. I like to watch both the Marquez brothers, Andre Berto, the Peterson brothers, Sergio Martinez, Paul Williams, Mayweather, Pacman, Chris Arreola, and BJ Flores. All those guys are great fighters.
Beats, Boxing & Mayhem: Who was your toughest opponent to date?
Bradley: It’s a tossup between Kendall Holt and Lamont Peterson. The Peterson fight was real physical. He came to fight. Kendall Holt was the first guy to knock me down; having to fight back from that adversity made me stronger and better. It showed me what I can do. You never know how you’re going to react until it happens. Some fighters curl their tail between their legs. A true warrior will dig it out. I always said if I lose, I’ll go out swinging. I rather get knocked out then lie down and be conscious.
Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander clash on January 28, live on HBO at 10 PM EST.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 