TIMOTHY BRADLEY is confident that new coach Teddy Atlas can bring out the best in him as they prepare for their November 7 showdown with Brandon Rios, at the Las Vegas Thomas and Mack Center. It will be Bradley’s first outing since his points victory over Jessie Vargas erroneously ended seven seconds early with him in trouble.
“I am always willing to put it on the line,” said Bradley, who dominated Vargas prior to the late crisis. “When Jessie Vargas hit me with that big shot I was ticked inside about it – but I was in control right through the final seconds of the fight.
“We are moving now to Rios who is tough, rugged and dangerous. I know Rios is fired up. I know this is a tough fight for me. I need to stay focused and to choose when to battle. I know Rios is a tough guy. I am tough too. And smarter. I am confident with Teddy Atlas with me. He has great boxing knowledge. I want that knowledge. We can do some damage together.”
Rios, meanwhile, believes that Bradley will be the second best fighter he’s shared a ring with – right after Manny Pacquiao who dominated Brandon in 2013.
“Bradley is no Pacquiao,” said Rios. “We all know that. But Bradley will be the second-best fighter I have ever faced. Jessie Vargas waited too long in his fight against Bradley. Vargas let Bradley do what wanted he wanted to do except for the final seconds of the fight. I fought Alvarado earlier this year and was in the best shape of my life. I have accomplished a lot in boxing. Robert Garcia, my trainer, has stuck with me all the way. I want to thank Robert and Cameron Dunkin for getting me this shot against Bradley. This is a big fight and for me and it’s about more than the money and the title – it’s about winning – beating Bradley.”
Vasyl Lomechanko appears on the undercard, defending his WBO featherweight belt against Romulo Koasicha.
