By Ryan Burton
WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley stopped by this week's edition of BoxingScene Radio to talk to us about a variety of subjects including two upcoming fights that feature fighters that Bradley has recently defeated.
On November 23rd Manny Pacquiao faces Brandon Rios in Macau in a fight distributed by HBO pay-per-view. Bradley defeated Pacquiao in June 2012 and feels that Brandon Rios is the perfect opponent for Pacquiao to get back in the winner's circle.
"I think that Rios is tailor made for Pacquiao. I think Rios is a good fighter. I loved both of his fights with Alvarado," Bradley explained while comparing Rios to Antonio Margarito.
"Look at Maragarito. If Margarito couldn't do anything against Pacquiao what is Rios going to do? You see a big strong guy at welterweight in Margarito and now you got a smaller Margarito coming up in weight. He is a smaller guy who's never fought at welterweight. I think Pacquiao with his speed and his combinations, he's really fast. I don't think Rios has ever faced someone like that so I pick Pacquiao. I don't know if it will be by decision or knockout but I think Pacquiao takes it but Rios does have a shot. You can never count him out."
On October 19th Mike Alvarado faces Ruslan Provodnikov in Denver, CO. Bradley won a narrow decision against Provodnikov in March in a fight in which he was hurt several times. He thinks that the bout is close to a 50-50 fight but said that he gives Provodnikov the edge.
"Wooo! That's a fight," Bradley exclaimed. "Let me tell you this, Alvarado is tough as nails and showed he can box. He is going to need to box to beat this guy because he can punch. That is a pick-em fight. It's a pick-em fight but I gotta go with Provodnikov. I think he learned a lot from (fighting) me and I think he is going to go to the body more and make some adjustments. I think he is going to give Alvarado hell," Bradley told BoxingScene Radio.
As for Bradley, next up is Mexican icon Juan Manuel Marquez on October 12th in Las Vegas. He said that at this point in his career he wants to fight the best opponents possible including pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"As long as it makes business sense I am willing to fight anybody. I just want to fight the best. If Mayweather is considered the best then that is who I want to fight," Bradley stated.
You can listen to the show in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/5031259
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to BoxingScene Radio, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays from 6-8PM PST. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton