Will Bradley vs. Khan Happen?
The Timothy Bradley vs. Amir Khan marquee matchup scheduled to take place on July 23 has been the talk in boxing circles for months. As the date nears, new talks of money squabbles have surfaced with boxing fans wondering if this summer showdown will actually go down?
At last Friday night’s fights in Ontario, I caught up with Southern California trainer Joel Diaz, who is best known for his prized pupil Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley. Team Diaz was at the “New Blood” card with fighters Jhon Ortega and Abraham Lopez, who both won their bouts that night. The event was presented by Bradley’s co-promoter (with Gary Shaw) Ken Thompson.
“Bradley-Khan will happen,” Diaz told me, as of last weekend, as I visited with the team which included Sabas Rosas, boxer Josh Robertson, Jesus Diaz, and others.
But no official announcement has been made and recent reports have the fight still in limbo.
“After I went on a radio show, people starting asking me question about the money offered,” the trainer from Indio explained. He went on to say that the contract with Gary Shaw ends in June but the network and others are hoping the Bradley vs. Khan clash will still happen on July 23.
As of today, the big unification bout for the WBC, WBO and WBA Light Welter titles is still listed on BoxRec. But as we know in boxing, things change and anything can happen.
But Bradley’s trainer (who many say is one the most underrated trainers in the boxing community) seemed confident the fight will happen. Catching up again with him today, Diaz was heading into a sparring session with his brother and boxer Julio Diaz. I asked him if the fight’s still on, “Any changes?” He said no changes, they’re still planning on July 23.
And he’s predicting a victory for Team Bradley, of course.
“Timmy will walk through him! Nothing impresses me about Khan,” Diaz said with a shrug last Friday before the Ontario fights began. “He did well against Paulie Malignaggi, but Paulie was so much smaller.”
Khan fought Paul McCloskey on April 16 and Bradley’s last bout was against Devon Alexander on January 29. So this collision at 140 between the British boxer and the “Desert Storm” Bradley has been talked about for a long time now.
And the plot thickens. Many tongues have also been wagging to see what happens after June–and if Timmy will re-sign with Gary Shaw after his contract ends? No doubt the top promoters have been wooing the Palm Springs champ to sign with them.
While Bradley wasn’t in attendance at the Friday night fights, his father and cornerman Timothy Bradley Sr. was at ringside. Timmy and his wife Monica are expecting a baby due in a couple of months.
His trainer Diaz is also father to a new baby girl and besides being coach to Bradley has a full stable in his gym at the Indio Boys and Girls Club. His brother and former IBF Lightweight Champ Julio Diaz is set to face former WBO Light Welterweight Champ Kendall Holt May 13 at Chumash. The Diaz family is synonymous with the sweet science; brother Antonio Diaz is a former WBO and IBA Champion and a top trainer with amateur boxers. Team member Sabas Rosas also mentioned that their young fighter Alfredo Madrigal will be lacing up this Friday at Fantasy Springs in Indio.
But for now, the question remains if Bradley and Khan will lace up–and face each other?
Will their July war happen?
And if it does, who do YOU think will win?
So many questions that will hopefully be answered soon.
Photos by Michele Chong