ThaBoxingVoice.com got a few moments with one of the top welterweights around in Timothy Bradley (31-1, 12 KO’s) a week removed from his scheduled 12-round contest against Jessie Vargas (26-0, 9KO’s) in Carson, California.
A sheen of sweat coated Bradley’s barren skull as he kneeled down between two assistants who were wrapping his hands. He seemed in a jovial mood despite the looming fight and he spoke of the pre-fight angst he experiences on the lead up to each appearance he makes.
“I’m always super anxious man. Cuz you ready, you know you ready and then it’s like a waiting game the week of the fight. And that’s just like ‘man I wanna get this over with, let’s get on with my regular life.’”
Judging from these words, it is as if Bradley finds the whole process to be a bit of a chore. It is difficult to imagine fighter on his level -one who was been near the summit of the sport for a number of years now- living out the ‘regular life’ he referred to; mowing the lawn or going food shopping.
But then the realisation hits that a training camp before a fight only lasts around eight weeks, and if only two appearance per year are made (as has been Bradley’s habit) then an awful lot of time is left over to pursue other, less stressful pasttimes.
He has often spoken of his intention to leave the boxing scene as soon as he is financially secure, and more importantly while his faculties in decent working order. That would seem to indicate a lack of passion or commitment until you see him fight.
Bradley is a straight-up dog between the ropes. He will put to the back of his mind the pain he is experiencing -as he did in two brutal outings against Ruslan Provodnikov and Diego Chaves- and endeavour to push forward through the fire in the name of victory. The power that is absent from his fists was rerouted to his will, something that has remained unbent and unbroken.
Vargas will need to do something spectacular to achieve that feat.
