Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez will face off on HBO PPV Saturday Oct. 12 in what is expected to be an epic bout.
(KNOCKOUT NATION) For Timothy Bradley, his upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Marquez isn’t about money. This is all about respect. Although he is unbeaten with a record of 30-0-1 (12 KOs), the general boxing community doesn’t believe that he belong with the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Marquez and the man many think he was given a gift decision against, Manny Pacquiao. At this point, Bradley demands your respect and will run through any opposition that stands in his way. Knockout Nation spoke to Bradley and got his take on the upcoming fight, why he is “The Modern Day Marvin Hagler” and whether he wants to face Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao next.
KNOCKOUT NATION: When was the moment that you figured that you and Marquez would be on a collision course? Was it after the Pacquiao fight?
Timothy Bradley: I’ve always wanted to fight Marquez. Most of the time he was either tied up with Pacquiao or somebody else. After he knocked out Pacquiao I knew I’d get a shot at him. It was weird. Early on this year his team put out a statement saying he would never fight me and I should forget about it. After the Provodnikov fight they were all “We want to fight Bradley!” They must have seen something in that fight. I didn’t fight like I normally fight. I chose to brawl more than box. They feel like I am damaged goods and they are going to expose me and knock me out. I’m here to tell everyone that’s not going to happen, I’m 110% and I’m fine. Everyone will definitely see a fired up and determined Bradley who is going to prove to the world that I’m one of the best fighters in the game today. Whether I’m #1, 2 or 3, I’m right there.
KON: Did they make a mistake by looking at your last fight with Provodnikov?
Bradley: Absolutely. I think they feel that I’m a fighter at heart and when the tough gets going and I’m going to fight, they are right about that. But people always say that you’re only as good as your last fight and I think that’s baloney. I think you can always get better and adjust. If that’s the case, why do fighters bounce back after a loss? Many fighters do that. They made a mistake wanting to fight me. He’s a great fighter and Nacho is a great trainer. He’s just got to come out and take my title from me. He wants to be the Mexican fighter to win five belts in five weight classes and that’s not going to happen.
KON: Do you think Marquez is a more difficult opponent style wise than Pacquiao?
Click here for the rest of this exclusive interview with Timothy Bradley