Tim Bradley could be about to make a comeback to boxing at the age of 42, making it clear who he is ready to return to face.
‘Desert Storm’ seemingly has his sights set on a showdown with Jake Paul, as should Paul achieve the unthinkable on Friday night and beat Anthony Joshua, former world champion Bradley has already put his name forward to share the ring with “The Problem Child.”
Paul is attempting to cause arguably the biggest upset in boxing history when the novice takes on the 2012 Olympic gold medallist and former world heavyweight champion. The eight-round main event will be shown live on Netflix from the Kaseya Center in Miami, with three world title fights featured on the undercard.
Former world champion Bradley, who retired in 2017, has made it clear he is ready to fight not only Paul but also his trainer, J’Leon Love, on the same night.
Bradley held world titles at super-lightweight and welterweight, and claimed wins over Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez in his career. He has issued the extraordinary call-out on a return during an appearance on Andre Ward’s All The Smoke podcast.
Bradley, who labelled Paul a “fake,” said:
“You think it’s a game? I ain’t playing. I’m not playing with you. I’ll bust him up and his trainer. Two-for-one. I’ll fight you and Jake Paul on the same night.
“I’m looking at his [Love’s] career and I’m watching him fight and I’m like, ‘I can beat this bum.’ I don’t care if he’s 175lbs — I’ve fought bigger guys than that my entire career.”
Love last laced up the gloves in 2021, securing an eight-round points win over Marcus Oliveira. The 38-year-old’s career-best victory came against Marco Antonio Periban in 2014, but step-ups to world level against Peter Quillin and David Benavidez both ended in defeat.
In 2013, Love was at the centre of controversy when a disputed win over Gabriel Rosado was overturned to a no contest after he failed a drug test, having tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. He received a six-month suspension and was fined $10,000.
Bradley also revealed he received a call from Love outlining how a fight with Paul could materialise.
“He called me up and was like, ‘You gotta go through me first.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s easy. I’ll go through you — but when you send the contract, make sure you’ve got him [Paul] added on the back end of it.’”
Bradley never competed above 147lbs during his career, but on Friday night Paul is expected to weigh in above 200lbs in his bid to overcome Joshua, who can weigh no more than 245lbs after agreeing to a contract stipulation.
