By Francisco Salazar
Over the course of his professional career, Timothy Bradley enjoys the bright lights of the camera. Whether it is an on-air interview after a fight or an interview with numerous boxing sites, Bradley is never at a loss for words.
The tables have turned so to speak. Rather than be interviewed about topics he has answered numerous times, Bradley will now have the opportunity to ask questions to fighters and give his own take of fights taking place in the ring.
Bradley will provide color commentary for tonight’s ‘Friday Night Knockout’ on TruTV, which will broadcast live from the US Airways Centre in Phoenix, Ariz.
In the main event, junior welterweight Jose Benavidez will fight Jorge ‘Maromerito’ Paez in a 12 round bout.
This will not be the first time Bradley will hold a microphone in his hand. He was ringside inside the Chelsea Ballroom at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas two weeks ago for the debut broadcast of ‘Friday Night Knockout.’ The well-spoken Bradley offered his take on the action in the ring and provided his two cents so to speak on other boxing-related topics.
“I was approached by Todd Duboef about doing this,” Bradley told BoxingScene.com during a phone interview. “I accepted right away. It’s been great to call the action and to offer an opinion of what is happening. The feedback has been great. Fans have told me that they like what I’ve had to say and that has been spot on.”
Bradley has been providing color commentary for TruTV while he has been in training camp in preparation for his June 27 bout against Jessie Vargas at the Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif.
The Palm Springs, Calif. resident trains in nearby Indio, where he works with trainer Joel Diaz.
While there could be similarities in preparing for a fight in a gym with prepping to call a fight from ringside, Bradley believes the two have their own uniqueness.
“Training for a fight in the gym is one thing, but sitting in on production meetings and fighter interviews is different. I’ve been there when a fighter gets hit, so I know what he goes through. When I’m at ringside, I’m able to give that fighter perspective that few people know about. I’m able to connect the fan more with what is happening as opposed to some who think what a fighter is going through.”
While he is focused on Vargas and subsequent fights to follow, Bradley is interested in broadcast work after he hangs up his gloves for the final time.
Just like the gym, there could always room for improvement for Bradley behind the microphone, but that is nothing new to him. He prides himself on perfecting a craft, which means hours of practice and dedication.
Then again, that practice and dedication has resulted in Bradley becoming a world champion.
“I really enjoy working in front of the camera. It is something I want to do after I retire. I don’t know anything else but boxing. I’ve always had a passion for the sport and I want to stay involved in it because I know boxing very well.”
Bradley is eager to join the list of fighters-turn-commentators that include Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, and Paulie Malignaggi.
While each has their own personality that is unique in person and on the air, Bradley could be a breath of fresh air. He is well-spoken, articulate, and professional enough to break down and analyze a fight or the performance of a fighter.
A career as a color commentator with suit Bradley very well. While there are big fights down the line as a fighter, Bradley cannot wait for to work behind the mic full-time.
“I’m very excited this is something I could do.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing