HBO's award-winning franchise "24/7" returned tonight with the premiere of "24/7 Road To Pacquiao-Bradley", the all-access reality series following 8-division world champion champion Manny Pacquiao and undefeated jr. welterweight champion Timothy Bradley as they prepare for their June 9 showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Pacquiao, he's a great fighter, but once we get in that ring on June 9th, regardless of all the smiles and all the, you know, the joys, we in there to seek and destroy. That's it...I'm the number 1 fighter at 140 pounds, bout to be the number 1 fighter at 147 on June 9th...He's next to learn. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's about that spot. I want his spot. I want the throne," Bradley would comment, making it clear that he's eager to shock the world and pull off the upset. Check out what else Timothy Bradley had to say in episode 1 of 24/7 Road To Pacquiao-Bradley.
TIMOTHY BRADLEY:
I think they might be underestimating. I don't think that they really know what they got themselves into.
I like being the underdog. I've been the underdog my whole life. I don't really care what anybody say, you know? Pacquiao, he's a great fighter, but once we get in that ring on June 9th, regardless of all the smiles and all the, you know, the joys, we in there to seek and destroy. That's it. You know, that's the only thing on my mind is getting that W, getting that win that night.
They're Pacquiao fans. They, you know, they respect what he does, but they know that he met his match. They know how hard I work every day, you know, and they know what I bring to the table.
I just pretty much hang out all day, you know, with my family and my kids; that's my life. Family and gym. I'm a family man.
The place where I grew up at is on the north side of Palm Springs. It's called The North End. A lot of hard times out here, man. You hear a lot of people talk bad about this area. Nothing but scum bags that come out of this area. Nothing but losers, drug dealers, you know, and nothing good is ever going to come out of this place. Well, I'm here to prove them all wrong right here.
My dad was a...had a huge impact on my life. I remember going to, you know, the weight room with him, 8 years old, and I just wanted to be around him and do what he did.
You had to be tough or you're going to get bullied, you know, and I chose the tough man role. You know, I had a chip on my shoulder. You couldn't look at me a certain way. I had this, you know, kinda thug mentality.
I was a bully. I mean, it got so bad one time where, I blieve it was in 3rd grade, or 2nd grade, a kid in a wheelchair, he kinda nudged the back of my heel, and I turned around and hit him a couple of times, you know, in the wheelchair. I mean, I'm not happy about that. I mean, you know, it bothers me still today. If I saw that kid, I would apologize, but that's how bad it was. That's how short tempered I was.
18 years, we been working, so that's why, like, when people say, "Oh, Bradley don't deserve this shot." It's like, "Dude, I spent 18 years of my life dedicating myself to this boxing game." I done captured 3 world championships, you know, to get to this spot. I deserve this shot, you know. That's the reason why. 18 years. 18 years hard; never quit.
Champions, they persevere.
My work ethic is beast. There's no one that can work harder than me. I will outlast anybody. You know, it hurts to be a champion. A lot of people say they want to be a champion, but they really don't want to, you know, put in the work and put in the time.
A lof of people were saying I was going to get knocked out and I was this little Timothy Bradley, never fought outside of California as a professional, 6 to 1 underdog. I think it was the 6th round. I nailed him [Junior Witter], man, and dropped him in his corner. And from that point on, I knew I had him. I felt like all the hard work, dedication, all the training I've been through, you know, all the blood, sweat and tears finally came to this moment right here.
He was brutal on me, man. He pushed me till he made me cry, because he was like, "You think this is hard? Wait until you get in that ring. It's even harder."
All that I remember was getting hit, and then I remember hitting the canvas. My head was buzzing, my right leg was numb; I've never felt that way before. I said, "I've gotta survive." I had to step to this guy after being knocked on my ass in the first round, so I just said, "Hey, it's all or nothing." Grabbed a hold of my balls and let's go.
I'm happy that he pushed me, you know? At the time, I didn't understand, you know, but now I understand why he did it, you know, 'cause he always said, "If you push past the pain, that's victory." I'm going to beat this guy. He's next to learn.
When I'm here, I'm not distracted whatsoever. How does your family distract you? I don't really understand that. Those your loved ones. If anything, they will embrace you and they'll help you; they'll motivate you.
I use my family as motivation. Their happiness is my happiness. I want them to have an easy life.
A lot of people say I don't hit hard enough, I wasn't quick enough, I was too short, I was too small for the weight class, you know, you'll never become world champion, you know. Three-time world champion. I'm the number 1 fighter at 140 pounds, bout to be the number 1 fighter at 147 on June 9th.
He's next to learn. It's not about the money. It's not about the money. It's about that sopt. I want his spot. I want the throne.
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