Tag Archives: storm

Posted on 05/03/2017

Timothy Bradley Jr.: The Desert Storm
By: Francisco Martinez

Timothy Bradley Jr. one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today has been out of action since his loss this past April to 8 division champion Manny Pacquiao in what was a tie breaker in a very unexpected trilogy. Bradley was in attendance for commentary work for this past Saturday’s Top Rank PPV card at the StubHub Center which saw Oscar Valdez, Zurdo Ramírez and Jessie Magdaleno all successfully defend their WBO titles in front of a packed house.

After the fight Bradley gratefully gave his time to the media and answered a few questions. The very first question was actually from a fan who asked Bradley when he was going to step back into the ring and Bradley replied “I don’t know I think I honestly need a tune up fight on the way back” as to who Bradley had in mind as a possible tune up he quickly noted Adrien Broner and when asked of Broner’s recent troubles he said “I don’t know but I think that would be a good tune up for me” when asked why he liked Adrien Broner as a tune up he replied “why not? why not? That’s the question and I think it makes a lot of sense. I think people would love to see that” all fans present quickly agreed by shouting yes to Bradley’s belief of Broner making good for a tune up and an exciting fight.

Timothy Bradley Jr. is in a packed division with the likes of Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and legend Manny Pacquiao still out there beating guys half his age. Also young up and comers like Errol Spence Jr and primed veterans like Danny Garcia as well the already mentioned Adrien Broner. However Bradley keeping in mind he’s been out of the ring for about a year or so a tune up makes all the sense for his career as he eyes a possible September return date. As for the lay off Bradley said this about it “it kind of just happened that way but you know what I believe everything happens for a reason and there’s a reason why I had this big long lay off. Let my body heal up and give my brain a rest from taking all them punches. I’ve been doing this for 23 years man, you know, it’s been a long journey but I can’t wait to get back in it. I got super excited seeing this fight tonight it got my blood boiling boy, I’m boiling”

Maybe Bradley can look for a MMA fighter for his tune up? Given the back and forward between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC star, MMA’s pound for pound number one fighter in the world Conor McGregor anything seems to be on the table granted McGregor wouldn’t mind Manny Pacquiao either if Mayweather “craps his jocks” and doesn’t go through with their fight why wouldn’t Bradley be as good of an option? Anyways Bradley touched on the potential mega fight between Mayweather and McGregor had this to say about the boxing vs MMA circus act

“what do I think about it? Honestly man, I’m gonna watch the fight, in my honest opinion, I’m gonna watch the fight. We know what it’s about, we are fight fans and everything, Conor McGregor has never been in the ring, yeah he’s the best MMA fighter, he’s the biggest name and it makes sense. He called out Floyd Mayweather and Floyd Mayweather is just trying to make it real like, okay, alright, put your money where your mouth is. If you really wanna do this let’s do this but we’re gonna do it in the ring so, I mean, the advantage goes to Mayweather. Mayweather is always strategic and he’s strategic with his business as well, you know, so I think it’s a money grab and I think everybody is gonna watch it. We know what it’s about but I think it’s gonna be fun and I think Mayweather destroys, destroys like destroys Conor McGregor”

Obviously Timothy Bradley knows the business side of boxing as he clearly states that Mayweather vs McGregor is just that, a good business move. During his time off Bradley made a business move and has now ventured into the business side of boxing by managing a couple of fighters along side his wife something to keep him busy until he finds his way back into the ring. This is what sets Bradley apart from the other fighters being a very intelligent individual and thinking his every next move outside of boxing as he does inside the squared circle.

Options for Timothy Bradley are wide and vary earlier in the year Miguel Cotto was mentioned at a possible 155lbs catch weight there’s also 2 division champion Jessie Vargas who’s been hunting down a rematch with Bradley after a controversial ending to the first one that actually took place in the same venue BoxingInsider caught up Bradley. Visit us on a daily as we bring you the latest and breaking news in boxing.

Posted on 04/30/2017

Adrien Broner and Timothy Bradley: Win-win situation
By: Kirk Jackson

Timothy Bradley 33-2-1 (13 KO’s) called out Adrien Broner 33-2 (24 KO’s) and simply asked why not?

It’s a valid question and for Bradley, Broner appears to be a fine tune-up for something potentially bigger down the line.

The last time Bradley stepped in the ring was last April, in a lopsided losing effort against Manny Pacquiao. The third and hopefully final bout of their trilogy.

The soon to be 34-year-old is in the last phase of his fighting career and is probably seeking highly lucrative bouts before hanging up his gloves.

His legacy is set, albeit he is one of the most underrated, unappreciated fighters over the last 15 years. Bradley is a Hall of Fame quality fighter.

If Bradley were to retire today, he goes out as a five-time world champion across two weight classes, he defeated 11 world champions, defeated two future Hall of Famers (Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao) and is the only person aside from Floyd Mayweather, who can claim victories over Marquez and Pacquiao.

In regards to Broner, this appears to be a good match-up for Bradley from a stylistic standpoint.

The only man to defeat Bradley is Pacquiao and the problems presented by Pacquiao were the hand speed, foot speed, angles in combination with the punching power.

Broner possesses they attributes and some may argue he is even more athletic than Pacquiao; difference being Broner has a different method of implementing these traits – in some cases he does not fully utilize these gifts to his advantage.

In spite of his athletic ability and foot speed, Broner fights flat footed; defensively does not always present angles to his opposition and tends to lean back, allowing himself to be a hittable target at times. Broner also has a low punch output as he tends to rely on sharp counter-punching as his offense.

Bradley may believe he can take advantage of Broner’s flat footed-ness and he can overwhelm Broner with activity – similar to Marcos Maidana and Shawn Porter. Maidana and Porter are the only fighters to hand Broner a defeat.

It appears Broner is down for the clash as well.

This is a great opportunity for Broner, especially since he wants to fight Pacquiao at some point. Why not defeat a common adversary shared with Pacquiao and get his attention.

Bradley and Pacquiao share the same promoter (Top Rank, Bob Arum). The concept of fighting Bradley presents an opportunity for Broner, his manager Al Haymon and for Arum to work together.

If this goes well, this continues to open doors down the line for Broner and other Top Rank fighters – most notably Pacquiao.

Broner mentioned returning to the ring in June or July, which leaves a fight in the fall for Bradley if not Pacquiao.

The self- proclaimed ‘Problem,’ can also silence many critics by defeating a credible opponent.

Broner gets a bad rap, has a bad reputation. Some of it is self-inflicted, but let’s not forget he is a talented fighter.

With all of the negativity surrounding his name, let’s not forget he’s only lost twice; those losses coming at welterweight against bigger guys like Maidana and Porter.

Let’s also remember he is a four-time world champion across three-weight classes and defeated five world champions thus far in his career.

If Broner can overcome a style like Bradley’s; a style that can resemble a rugged, overbearing, aggressive, physical and mentally demanding war, it can display Broner’s maturity as a fighter.

Bradley’s style is not quite the same in comparison to Porter or Maidana, as all three fighters have different physical builds and attributes.

Broner and Bradley have comparable physiques – which bodes to Broner’s favor. Both guys are listed as the same height (5′ 6″) and the same reach (69 inches).

Although Bradley may have the heart, will and activity to outwork Broner, he does not necessarily possess the punching power to bend Broner’s will.

Broner turns 28-years-old this year and Bradley will be 34-years-old. Age is on the younger man’s side and the physical tools may be as well.

Each fighter has strengths entering this fight, it’s a great opportunity for both fighters and it’s actually a good fight.