Kickoff Press Conference for World Title Fight
The fireworks will ignite November 7 when WBO welterweight champ Timothy Bradley Jr. takes on former champion Brandon Rios at the Thomas & Mack Center (UNLV campus) in Las Vegas. Promoted by Top Rank, this championship clash will also air live on HBO World Championship Boxing.
The two prizefighters faced off today at the kickoff press conference held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Joining the warriors were their respective camps including Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, Rios’ trainer Robert Garcia, Bradley’s father/co-trainer Ray Bradley, Tim’s wife and manager Monica Bradley, HBO’s Peter Nelson and Tony Walker and more. It was announced that Bradley’s new trainer Teddy Atlas will be joining the team later this week for camp. Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist and current WBO featherweight champ Vasyl Lomachenko was also on stage; he will be featured on the Bradley-Rios undercard in a bout against Mexico’s Romulo Koasicha.
And on November 7, it will be Palm Springs vs. Oxnard when the champ Bradley squares off against the challenger Rios in a title tilt scheduled for 12 rounds. Tickets go on sale Thursday, September 17 at www.unlvtickets.com and 866-388-FANS (3267).
For those familiar with Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios’ verbal taunts and trash talking, this Brandon Rios was rather subdued at today’s presser. No sass just class from both of the combatants. No threats, no sucker punches, no predictions other than both camps saying the duo will give it all in the ring. There was one slight edgier moment at the end of the stare down when Rios’ intensity was matched by Bradley’s gaze. Before anything could happen, Ray Bradley guided Timmy away from his opponent. No physical contact was made other than Tim shaking Brandon’s hand at the end of this tiny squirmish. But these two men promise to bring this intensity into battle when they lock horns in two months at Thomas & Mack.
Bob Arum says that Rios (33-2-1, 24 KOs) always gives 150% inside the ropes while “Desert Storm” Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs) vows to give his usual 110% in the ring. So if you do the math, this battle could be one action-packed duel as Brandon, 29, is never in a boring fight and 32-year-old Bradley’s skills and determination have seen him reach the top echelon in the sport.
Bradley is coming off his June victory against Vegas’ Jessie Vargas (with its controversial ending) while Rios’ last win was in January against nemesis Mike Alvarado. Both warriors share opponents in past wars against Diego Chaves and Manny Pacquiao. Now the Top Rank stablemates will face each other.
At the mic, Brandon said he’s ready to go and will be well-prepared while Timmy praised his rival Rios for always “willing to face anybody and everybody.” Bradley added that he embraces the challenge in facing Rios and also looks forward to the new guidance with veteran Teddy Atlas in his corner.
On the platform today, the two obliged the cameras with the standard face off. Brandon appears taller and much burlier than Timmy right now and as they say styles make fights, so this one should have some good action with their slugger versus boxer styles. We will all wait to see what brand new coach Teddy Atlas will teach Bradley (who recently split from longtime trainer Joel Diaz) when the boxers collide on November 7.
Bradley has fought against the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ruslan Provodnikov, Joel Casamayor, Devon Alexander, Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt and more en route to becoming a two-division world champion fighter. Rios earned his status as a fan favorite with his “El Grito” war cries and “Never Back Down” stance while locking horns with Mike Alvarado, Manny Pacquiao, Diego Chaves, Richar Abril, etc. since turning pro in 2004.
Tim has faced the more elite competition and his work ethic, discipline and natural boxing skills have been proven in the squared circle, In Rios, you have a hard hitter who is also willing to go out on his shield. When the bell rings and leather is exchanged, we will see who the better man is. The defending champ Bradley is the favorite going into this contest but “Bam Bam” fans are hoping the KO kid can somehow upset the WBO titlist.
Top Rank says this match could be a “Fight of the Year” candidate, so expect a fire fight.
Again, styles make fights…So what do you think of this matchup, boxing fans?
Tune in on November 7 to see if Bradley-Rios goes all 12 rounds!
TICKETS: www.unlvtickets.com and 866-388-FANS (3267)
It will be interesting to see what changes Teddy Atlas can make it the Bradley camp. At this point in his career I believe Bradley’s style is already concrete. As it has been proven time and time again. When the bell rings Bradley, will revert to all that Joel Diaz, brought to Bradley’s style. As far as motivation. No one can motivate Bradley, better than Diaz.
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