Tim Bradley showing off his WBO welterweight bout after his victory over Juan Manuel Marquez (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
For Timothy Bradley, the night of Saturday, Oct. 12 will forever stand as an essential part of his makeup as a fighter.
A slight underdog heading into his match with Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez inside of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) produced perhaps his most disciplined and intelligent fight as a professional in capturing a split-decision verdict following twelve tense rounds of action.
And while Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KO’s) was dangerous every second of the bout, Bradley found a way to neutralize his offense despite absorbing the occasional heavy shot.
At the post-fight press conference, Bradley was asked if he feels a victory over Marquez, one of the best Mexican fighters of all time, would finally get him the respect he feels he has been lacking.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” said Bradley. “If I get the respect, great. If I don’t, keep betting against me. I’m just going to keep winning.”
Bradley was then questioned for a comparison of Marquez to one of his former foes, Manny Pacquiao.
Bradley upset Pacquiao in June of 2012 via split-decision in a victory that was far less convincing than the Marquez effort.
Bradley couldn’t pick or choose between either man, instead offering up great praise for each.
“Well, they’re both big punchers,” Bradley revealed. “Marquez dazed me a couple times in the fight. They’re both big punchers. One is coming from the left position. One is coming from the right position. I can’t really judge who’s better or not.
“Because, in the Pacquiao fight, my feet were hurt,” Bradley continued. “I couldn’t really move like I wanted to in that fight. That being said, both are great champions, both are great warriors, and they’re legends in the sport. Living legends.”
At 30 years of age, Bradley is ten years Marquez’s junior and he certainly seemed sharper and fresher at key points in the contest.
Still, Bradley dismissed any talk that Marquez’s age may have finally caught up with him on this night.
“No, not really,” said Bradley. “He’s one of the best in the world. I didn’t feel like age was a factor in there. He still competed, he still came back, still tried to win. I just felt that honestly, my speed, my footwork was the key.”
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more all-access coverage from the Bradley-Marquez event…
Juan Manuel Marquez speaks after loss to Bradley; slighted by judges? Says a KO was only way to win
Tim Bradley defeats Juan Manuel Marquez via split-decision; post-fight thoughts from ‘Desert Storm’
Teddy Atlas had Tim Bradley up by a point; feels Marquez was too busy looking for one shot
Mike Tyson, Gennady Golovkin, Zab Judah, and others spotted at the Bradley-Marquez fight
John David Jackson had Juan Manuel Marquez beating Bradley but feels Juan may need to retire
50 Cent spotted backstage after Tim Bradley’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez [Bonus footage]
Juan Manuel Marquez says the Bradley loss hurts as much as Pacquiao; discusses possible retirement
Joel Diaz responds to Nacho Beristain, claims Marquez couldn’t do ‘anything’ against Tim Bradley
Nacho Beristain rips Tim Bradley: ‘He’s the only undefeated fighter with two losses’
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com