Exclusive Boxing Interview: Timothy Bradley

“Desert Storm” Looking To Come Up The Right Way

Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley is getting ready to make his fourth appearance on Showtime’s upcoming June 1 edition of ShoBox, this Friday night.

After a long amateur career that started at 10 years of age and consisted of two national titles, Bradley left the ranks as one of the top five amateurs in his division and has made the transition into the pros with relative ease.

Since then, the 23 year old Palm Springs California resident he has yet to look back or falter in the ring and currently sports a 19-0 (11) record.

A big part thus far of Bradley’s success is his team. Trained By Joel Diaz and managed by Gary Shaw Promotions, Timothy has been brought along at the perfect speed for success. Not too fast, yet not too over protected.

In fact, his last four opponents were all more experienced ring veterans yet Bradley passed the test with flying colors.

The current WBC Youth Welterweight Champion is looking towards big things to come if he is successful tomorrow night when he defends his belt against Donald Camarena 18-3 (9).

Some of those things are a possible world ranking and a faceoff with former amateur rival Francisco “Panchito” Bojado if their perspective promoters can come to an agreement.

SaddoBoxing had the chance to speak with Timothy earlier this week on the up coming Camarena fight, his rivalry with Bojado and what’s next in line for the young 140 pounder.

Here is what he had to say about those topics and more exclusively to SaddoBoxing.

SaddoBoxing: How are you feeling?

Timothy Bradley: “I am feeling great. My conditioning is good, dropping weight on pace, feeling sharp. My last opponent was a southpaw so that’s has helped with adjustments. I can’t wait for fight night.”

SB: You have your WBC youth title on the line, you have been on ShoBox before and now people are starting to turn focus on you. If you are impressive in this fight, bigger things are surely on the horizon; Are you ready for the next step in your career?

TB: “That’s exactly what I am going for. I am ready for the next step up. I watched the De La Hoya/Mayweather fight and it has me pumped up. Camarena is a tough guy but I am ready to fight.”

SB: I have to give it to your team they are bringing you along at the perfect pace. You seem to be improving every time out and you are stepping up in class little by little each time you climb in the ring. Is this a pace you are happy with? Especially since one of the biggest mistakes that has become a trend in this sport is pad a record then jump into the first big fight you can get to, ready or not.

TB: “My Manager and promotion team are great, they are handling things well. I will fight who they put in front of me but I think so far things are right on track.”

SB: In the short three years that you have been fighting, you are undefeated. You have already tasted a bit of what being a champion is like by claiming the vacant WBC youth title in 2005 against Francisco Rincon. How long do you think it will be before you are ready for a world title shot?

TB: “I don’t know, maybe in a year or so. I would like to get some more experience with bigger names first. Maybe fight a few guys who have already been at the top and use it as a learning experience. Maybe fight Juan Lazcano? I don’t know.

“I just want to keep improving my record and climbing the ladder. Little by little I am in no rush. The title shot will come when the time is right. I am in no rush. There is plenty of time. I trust who ever my team decides on who is next will be the right opponent.”

SB: If you could pick one of the current champions to fight June 1 instead of Donald Camarena which one would it be?

TB: “I don’t know, maybe Ricardo Torres. He is a hard hitter but he can be outboxed. In the Cotto fight, he was destroyed. I think that a fight with Malignaggi would be a good one. I think he is going to beat Lovemore N’dou June 16 so I would like to have a showdown with him for the IBF belt if possible. I think it would be a good fight.”

SB: There is another guy out there I have to ask you about. Francisco “Panchito” Bojado. I see you have been calling him out in a few interviews. I read one where you stated “Maybe he will fight me if I change my name to Dessert Storm” and called him “fat boy”. What happened between you guys? What did he do to you that makes you keep calling him out?

TB: (Laughs) “It is just something from our amateur days. We fought each other and are both from Southern California so it’s a pride thing. Nothing serious. We always said we would meet as pros so I am ready to faceoff. I know he has been off a while and needs a few fights to get tuned up first but after that I am ready if he is.”

SB: You are improving and showing us something new every fight out. What can we look forward to seeing from you we haven’t seen before in your nest fight? What can we expect from Timothy Bradley we have yet to see?

TB: “I am just going to go out and box. Show my boxing skills, A lot of movement. I know that Donald is a tough guy he has been around. He has worked in some of the current champions training camps so I know he has experience with big names. I am going to use my speed and go back to what I do best.”

SB: Is there anyone lined up next as of yet or plans on who is next?

TB: “I really don’t know right now. I am focused on June 1. Let’s get past Camarena first then worry about what’s next. I am not overlooking anyone. Until we have something lined up for sure after this fight I am just going to make sure I stay in shape and ready for what ever comes up next.”

SB: Timothy, is there anything that you want to say to your supporters out there before we go?

TB: “I just want to thank all my supporters. Thank Gary Shaw Productions, Thompson Boxing for backing me and I am looking forward to the future.

SB: Timothy thanks again for your time and good luck on June first.

TB: “Thank you.”