George Willis

George Willis

Boxing

Bradley can prove mettle in bout vs. Marquez

Tim Bradley thought beating Manny Pacquiao would bring him fame, fortune and recognition as one of the best boxers on the planet. He got paid, but not much else. Maybe, he’ll get it all if he can defeat Juan Manuel Marquez Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Bradley won the WBO welterweight crown when he was awarded a controversial split decision over Pacquiao in June 2012. Most ringside observers felt Pacquiao won the bout, and there was an outcry over the judges’ scoring. Publicly, Bradley wasn’t given the accolades of a true champion.

“I would have been better off losing the fight,” Bradley said.

A victory in a 12-round toe-to-toe slugfest with Ruslan Provodnikov last March impressed many, but a victory over Marquez, who knocked out Pacquiao last December, would put Bradley back on boxing’s mountain top.

“By me beating Marquez, that will make me one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” Bradley said. “No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, wherever you want to place me. Marquez is probably the best fighter I will have ever faced in my career by far. This fight is going to be a very tough fight, and I am game for war.”

Bradley had to be rolled into his victory press conference against Pacquiao in a wheelchair after suffering severe blisters on his feet. Against Provodnikov, he suffered a severe concussion that lingered for months. Bradley has pronounced himself healthy for this fight, but there are questions whether he is damaged goods.

“It took me two months just to get back to normal,” Bradley said. “Going in the gym, I was out of shape, sparring, things were a little off, but that was because I was out of shape. I told them ‘Once I get back into shape, don’t worry guys, everything will get better. My IQ, my speed, my defense will all come back.’ Three or four weeks ago, my trainers told me I was right. I am 110 percent going into this fight. I am not worried about getting punched or can I take a punch — I know I can take a punch and I know I’m ready to go.”

Marquez, meanwhile, has had to refocus after celebrating the biggest victory of his career. He recently turned 40 and is trying to become the first Mexican boxer to win world titles in five different weight divisions. Already blessed with fame and fortune, it will be interesting to see if he still has the hunger to fight someone the caliber of Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs). There’s not much left for Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) to prove.

“Expect the best from me in the ring,” Marquez said. “I always bring a great fight. I trained hard for this fight so I can win that fifth title in five different weight classes. I am ready to give the fans a great fight, which is most important.”

Both fighters agreed to participate in anti-doping testing with random drug tests administered during training. Marquez’s muscled body and newfound punching power raised eyebrows along with his hiring of Angel “Memo” Heredia, a former BALCO employee, as his strength and conditioning coach. Bradley called for VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) or USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) to administer the testing. However promoters opted to go with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which hired WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).

PREDICTION: Bradley by split decision.