By Luis Sandoval
Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley are only days away from their Welterweight showdown in Las Vegas, NV at the Thomas & Mack Center. Both fighters made themselves available one last time for the Los Angeles media Monday morning before heading out to Nevada as both looked focused and ready to go.
Marquez is coming off a career defining victory over Manny Pacquiao almost a year ago while Bradley participated in a Fight of the Year candidate with Ruslan Provodnikov this past February. Both are coming off a high moment in their career and are hoping to follow it with another meaningful victory.
The Provodnikov fight for Bradley proved he not only had heart but could also provide excitement in the ring. Bradley was pushed to his limits but Marquez believes he’s a completely different fighter than Provodnikov and Bradley will find that out when they step in the ring.
“Provodnikov is a strong fighter. Everyone knows he's a strong fighter. But he's a fighter the only comes forward all the time. I'm going to use everything. I'll come forward, use my experience, box, and counterpunch. It's very different” said Marquez.
Bradley fought unexpectedly aggressive in his last fight and many assume he’ll revert back to his boxing ways and not try to war with Marquez. When Marquez was asked which Timothy Bradley he expects to show up October 12th, he said he didn’t know but he’d be ready to face either one.
“I don’t know. In some rounds [I think] he'll be aggressive. In some rounds he'll use his experience and his speed and change it up during rounds. Bradley proved he's a great fighter because Provodnikov is very strong and Bradley won the fight. I think Bradley has gained experience in his last two fights with Pacquiao and Provodnikov. I'm waiting for the best Bradley in the ring” said the Mexican warrior.
Regardless of how tactical this bout is fought, you have to imagine things will heat up at some point in the contest and both men will have to exchange. Seeing how Bradley was virtually out on his feet in the Provodnikov fight and how devastating a knockout Marquez delivered in his last fight, Larry Merchant asked Marquez if he felt Bradley could stand up to his lethal right hand.
“I don't know what's going to happen in the ring. I've trained very hard for this fight because Bradley is a great fighter. I'm not sure if Bradley will be able to handle the right hand. I need to work very hard in each round for this fight” replied Marquez.
When asked if he wanted to land the right hand to see if Bradley would be able to handle it, Marquez answered with a big smile.
“Yes I do”.
Marquez and the rest of us will know that answer this Saturday night.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter and Instagram @Truewest007
