"Man, once I get in that ring, it's a different story. Anybody that steps in the ring with me knows that I don't touch gloves every second. I never touch another fighter's gloves during the fight. We touch gloves in the beginning and that's it. And I don't apologize for anything that goes on in that ring...Honestly man, I've been studying this guy for years now, so I already got a plan. So like, I don't even have to watch film because he's already into my cranium; he's already into my brain. I ain't watching film; I've been watching film. I do my studying way before the fight happens. All I gotta do is show up and execute the plan. If I show up and execute the plan, I am going to win the fight, period...Don't buy into all of the smiles and all of this and all of that because I come to fight and I'm ready and I'm hungry," stated undefeated jr. welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, who talked more about his upcoming June 9th clash with welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. You don't want to miss what else he had to say as Bradley promises to bring intensity and fireworks when he steps into the ring. Check it out!
PC: I see a lot of people in the media seem to think during the press tour that you were acting just a little too happy to be there. They sense that this will be a Shane Mosley type of fight where you're touching gloves a lot and things like that. How do you respond to the people that feel that way?
TB: A lot of people think that I was happy to be there; yeah, I am. This is a dream come true. What, I'm not supposed to be happy? I'm happy I'm getting my shot at the title. I'm happy I'm getting a shot at the #1 spot or the #2 spot, however you put them on your ranking. I'm the type of man...my father raised me like this, man, if a guy gives you respect, you give them respect back. If he don't disrespect you, then you don't need to disrespect him or call him no names. I know it's a fight. Manny Pacquiao is a nice guy and I'm a nice guy. The only time I start talking is when they start talking. If you talk about me, I'm going to talk about you, period; hands down. So if Manny ain't poppin' off at the mouth, then there is no need for that mess and there is nothing to be said because I'm the type of fighter that likes to handle my business in the ring. And my true fans, they know that. They are saying, "Bradley's too much of a gentleman, he's playing to nice, and he's just happy to be there and it's gonna be another Shane Mosley type of fight." Man, once I get in that ring, it's a different story. Anybody that steps in the ring with me knows that I don't touch gloves every second. I never touch another fighter's gloves during the fight. We touch gloves in the beginning and that's it. And I don't apologize for anything that goes on in that ring. "Oh, I'm sorry," no, I'm a fighter and this is what I do. I'm a roughhouse fighter and it's a fight. When we get in that ring on June 9th, it's a fight. It ain't gonna be a fashion show; it is gonna be a fight, man.
PC: That's a good point, because I've seen fighters look to par during the press tour and even talk the talk, but then the fight is lame because they are scared to engage or whatever. But then you see two guys that are really respectful during the press tour who put on Fight of the Year like fights, kind of like Ward/Gatti, you know?
TB: If anyone thinks that this is not gonna be a fight, man, then something is wrong with them. I just think that it's a fight, man. This is a fight and I come to fight every single time I get in the ring. I apply the pressure. I promise to fight. I let my hands go. I don't sit back and hide behind my jab. No, I come to fight and Manny Pacquiao comes to fight. He don't sit back and try to look cute in there either. It's going to be fireworks, man. It's going to be action.
PC: Are you watching any of his fights on video more than others or are you not even watching his fights to study him?
TB: Honestly man, I've been studying this guy for years now, so I already got a plan. So like, I don't even have to watch film because he's already into my cranium; he's already into my brain. I ain't watching film; I've been watching film. I do my studying way before the fight happens. All I gotta do is show up and execute the plan. If I show up and execute the plan, I am going to win the fight, period.
PC: A lot of people also feel that this is not only your first time on the big stage, but also your trainer's first time as well. How do you not let this moment get to you, and the filming of 24/7, and things like that get to you?
TB: This is just a fight to me. A lot of people are like, "Yo, this is the biggest fight of your life." Yeah, I know, but this is just another fight to me, man, and that's how I look at it. This fight is as dangerous as my last fight and that's the way I look at it, man. I'm fighting this fight like it's my last fight, like I do every fight. I fight like it's my last fight. I bring the intensity, baby. So you know, the hype and all of this, I consider myself a student of the game and a veteran fighter. I really do. I done been through a lot during the course of my career. I made mistakes and I've corrected these mistakes and I know not to buy into the hype. I already been through that. I went through that when I fought against Devon. I've already been through this already. And then I get in the ring with Devon and I'm like, "That's it? This is supposed to be the #1 fighter at 140? I don't think so." You know what I'm saying? So I've already been down that road because it was hyped up and made up to be a super fight or whatever and then I get in the ring and I'm like, "Man, this is what they were talking about? I don't think so. Man, come on." I'm not taking nothing away from Devon, but I was like, "Alright. This is the #1 guy and the guy that people expected to beat me; you gotta be kidding me. Watch me do this." It's the same thing here. A lot of fighters go in thinking they gonna be fighting against this monster. I'm like, "Man, please." This is a fight man and it's just another fight for me. Yeah, it will actually be my first shot at the throne, but I don't have any pressure, man. I don't have any pressure. All of the pressure is on him because he's supposed to demolish me. He got all of the pressure on him. That's why they started camp early.
PC: I wish you the best of luck on June 9th. I'm sure I will be speaking to you throughout your camp. Is there anything you want to say before I let you go?
TB: All of the fans out there, don't miss it! Buy that pay-per-view, man! I'm telling you, do not miss this fight! This is a real fight right here. They know that "Desert Storm" is coming to fight. Don't buy into all of the smiles and all of this and all of that because I come to fight and I'm ready and I'm hungry. And they gonna see June 9th, man; everybody gonna see. It's all love here, Percy. Hit me up!
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[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]