By Michael Marley
Tim Bradley is ready, more than ready really, for his close up.
The 28-year-old fighter from Coachella Valley, California, is sharing the platform from now until June 9 when they will share a boxing ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Bradley just got a sample of the media/p.r. chores he will be part of this during this past week when he and Manny Pacquiao held press conferences in Los Angeles and New York. When Pacman was winging his way to Hong Kong and then back to Manila, Bradley was taking a limo from the city up to ESPN's studios in Connecticut.
I think the public will take a liking to Bradley because he's open, accessible and seems to have great respect for his profession and its rich history.
For example, did you know that Bradley speaks highly not only of Pacquiao but also of Floyd Mayweather.
If he's pumped up over fighting Pacman, Bradley made it sound like fighting unbeaten "Money" would be a dream fulfilled.
"I made this video, around the time of my sixth pro fight, in which I talked about fighting Mayweather, about being the first guy to beat him," Bradley said at Chelsea Piers.
"Me and Mayweather...we can do that (fight)...now that's some real talk. I said back then I would be the first one to dethrone Mayweather. I still feel that way."
Bradley even praises Mayweather as a person.
"I've met Floyd," Bradley said. "I think he's really a good dude. Mayweather acts like he does, talks like he does, but that is just putting on a face and selling tickets and pay-per-view."
But don't think Bradley is putting the Mayweather horse before the Pacquiao cart because he's not.
"Manny Pacquiao, he is not invincible, no one is invincible in this game. I was a big fan of Roy Jones and I remembered how shocked I was, how shocked everyone was, when he lost. I said to myself, Roy Jones got knocked out!" Bradley said.
Bradley believes he's more than ready to compete against Pacman and Mayweather.
"I went to England and beat Junior Witter over there," Bradley said. "I've had some tough fights, some awesome fights but not too many people saw them. They were on the Showbox level but I've had some tough fights."
His toughest looms in June but, being young, undefeated and ostensibly in his fighting prime, Bradley is ready to test the limits of his talent.
Bradley certainly appreciates the achievements of Floyd and Manny but he also remembers some fistic giants of earlier years.
"I know Terry Norris, good guy and a devastating puncher," Bradley said. "You asked me about Hagler versus Leonard and Sugar Ray is a friend and he's going to be ticked off at me but...Hagler won their fight."
Bradley is ready for his close up. He's paid his dues and it's his time to shine. Yes, he is exuberant but not irrational.
