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Alexander, Bradley Complete Media Workouts
At World Famous Kronk Gym in the Motor City
DETROIT—Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns was at Kronk Gym in Detroit yesterday and today (Tuesday and Wednesday) for fighter media workouts before Saturday’s world championship unification at the nearby Silverdome in Pontiac between undefeated 140-pound world champions Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs), from North Palm Springs, Calif., and Devon Alexander “The Great” (21-0, 13 KOs), from St. Louis.
Bradley, who is the World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion, said after yesterday’s workout that the bigger the challenge, the better for him.
“I love to take risks,” Bradley said. “That’s what this fight is all about. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. It’s time. He’s the only one who would fight me. Promoters need to start taking the same risk fighters take in the ring, putting the best against the best.
“I come to fight. That is my game plan. I’m ready to go 12 full rounds. I’ve had six sparring partners. I’ve been adjusting to the angles of a southpaw opponent.”
Alexander arrived in the Motor City late on Monday night, and he was at Kronk Gym today.
“The fans are going to see two fighters determined to not lose, and that makes for a great fight,” Alexander said. “I feel like I am going to win every round from the opening bell. That’s my mindset. I’m a man that likes to take control. I’m a leader, not a follower.”
His trainer Kevin Cunningham said boxing fans will see a great fight on Saturday night.
“Timothy Bradley is ranked No. 1 at 140 pounds, and Devon is ranked No. 2 by most writers,” Cunningham said. “Now it’s time to find out who is really No. 1.
“This is going to be a great fight because both fighters have tremendous boxing skills and great hearts. Now it comes down to which fighter executes best—and executes his fight plan best—on Saturday night.”
Bradley seemed to sincerely enjoy the tips Hearns, the first boxer to win world titles in four weight divisions, gave him in the ring.
“He’s a big guy,” Bradley said of the ring legend Hearns. “He looks like he could still fight. He told me to keep a hard, stiff jab and to turn over my punches because that’s where the power comes from. I consider the Kronk Gym as hallowed ground.”
Raw Quotes
Undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley: “I love to take risks. That’s what this fight is all about. To be the best you’ve got to beat the best. It’s time. He’s trying to take food off of my table. He’s the only one who would fight me. Promoters need to start taking the same risk fighters take in the ring, putting the best against the best.
“I come to fight. That is my game plan. I’m ready to go 12 full rounds. I’ve had six sparring partners. I’ve been adjusting to the angles of a southpaw opponent. I’ve added a strength and conditioning coach. I’ve been training five months for this fight and a solid five weeks of boxing training.”
On working out with Tommy “The Hit Man” Hearns at Kronk Gym: “He’s a big guy. He looks like he could still fight. He told me to keep a hard, stiff jab and to turn over my punches because that’s where the power comes from. I consider the Kronk Gym as hallowed ground.”
Undefeated WBC super lightweight champion Devon Alexander “The Great”: “I feel good. We are getting closer and closer to Saturday, the day I prove to the world I am the best at 140 pounds. The fans are going to see two fighters determined to not lose, and that makes for a great fight.
“I feel like I am going to win every round from the opening bell. That’s my mindset. I’m a man that likes to take control. I’m a leader, not a follower. Look for my southpaw stance to present a lot of problems for Timmy Bradley come Saturday.”
Alexander trainer, Kevin Cunningham: “Timothy Bradley is ranked No. 1 at 140 pounds, and Devon is ranked No. 2 by most writers. Now it’s time to find out who is really No. 1.
“This is going to be a great fight because both fighters have tremendous boxing skills and great hearts. Now it comes down to which fighter executes best and executes his fight plan best on Saturday night.
“I can tell you this about Devon Alexander. I have never seen him more mentally focused than for this fight. He’s 23 now, a grown man, and he knows what’s at stake in this fight. He’s always been in fabulous boxing shape, but what impresses me most is how focused he has been on executing his game plan. Look for Devon to put on a great show.”
