Boxing Quotes: Timothy Bradley vs. Lamont Petersen

Bradley, (24-0-1 NC, 11 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., and Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs), of Washington, D.C., participated in a national media conference call to discuss their upcoming world title mega-matchup on Saturday, Dec. 12 live on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

In an excellent battle of unbeatens, Bradley will defend his WBO 140-pound title against interim champ Peterson at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The telecast will open with WBC/WBA Super Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, defending his belts against WBC interim titlist Tomas Rojas (31-11-1, 22 KOs) of Mexico.

Bradley, who is coming off a No Contest against former unified lightweight world champion Nate Campbell on Aug. 1 on Showtime, is on a hot streak in the stacked 140-pound division. Bradley originally won the fight via highly controversial third-round TKO, but the decision was later changed to a NC by the California State Athletic Commission due to an accidental head butt that opened a cut over Campbell ’s left eye.

Peterson, who is one of the hottest prospects in boxing, is coming off a seventh-round TKO over previously unbeaten Willy Blain on April 25, 2009 for the interim WBO junior welterweight title. Now he has his first shot at a world title against a man that no one in the division has been able to beat.

The 12-rounders are promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, in association with Top Rank and Agua Caliente Casino.

Timothy Bradley:
“There’s nothing like fighting at home and I’m glad to be back. I’m glad that my promoters were able to make that possible.”

“Lamont Peterson is a great fighter; I grew up with him in the amateurs. I know him very well and he knows me very well. I’m just looking forward to the fight. I’m hungry and I’m willing to show the world what I have.

“We’re both undefeated, which makes for a great fight. We both have speed and power, and we both have boxing ability, so it’s going to be a great fight. But, at the end of the day, it’s my job to teach Lamont Peterson how to lose, and that’s what I’m going to do on Dec. 12.”

Lamont Petersen:
“I’ve been training ever since I went out to California to see Timothy and Nate fight. We pretty much knew this was going to be my next fight, we just didn’t know when at the time. Right now, I’ve been in great shape for two or three months.

“We’re just trying to level everything out and doing what we need to do to give us a chance to win. We feel really good right now, and we’re looking to go ahead and win the title on Dec. 12.

“I will take full advantage of this opportunity on Dec. 12 and I will be champion. Tune in on Dec. 12, because it’s going to be a great fight.”