Timothy Bradley: “When Pacquiao hit Mayweather on the chin, Floyd was dazed from that punch but was able to survive”

Reigning WBO welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley is set to return to the ring on November 7th against Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios, in what will be the first defense of Bradley’s title that he won over Jessie Vargas. Bradley, now 32, has enlisted trainer Teddy Atlas and hopes this change will lead to a successful second act of his boxing career.

In part 2 of my “On The Ropes” boxing radio interview with Timothy Bradley, I talk with him about his move to Teddy Atlas and get his thoughts on working with him so far. Bradley also shares his views on Floyd Mayweather’s most recent fight and also gives his thoughts on a potential Pacquiao-Khan fight. Additionally, Tim gives his official prediction for his fight with Brandon Rios. Here is what Timothy Bradley had to say.

Jenna J: Can you tell me how you went about asking Teddy Atlas to train you?

Timothy Bradley: When I asked him to train me he was very hesitant about it. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to get involved in the business anymore, as far as being a coach. He really had to think about it and when he came out here and saw what type of person I am, saw how I love my family, saw my work ethic in the gym. He saw the hunger in my eyes and how I want to get better and he saw that I would listen and pay attention.

He couldn’t deny the fact that, “You’re a good guy, I know I can make you better. I know I can help you. I’ll come out of retirement to train you.” He made that decision a week after we met for two days. We studied film together for six hours, my fights and Rios’ fights. He let me know my mistakes and the areas where he’s gonna help in to get better.

We did five hours in the gym, in the ring, just working on different techniques and different principles. Let me tell you, I was truly amazed. I literally felt like I didn’t know how to fight, I honestly did. I was like, “Dude, I don’t know how to fight. I’m a five time world champion and I feel real stupid right now.” I felt like shooting myself in the head because my brain is so fried because all of the information he gave me was almost too much at one time.

The foot placement, where to have your head, I’m learning a lot of different things that I’d never heard of before and never even thought of. It’s an honor to have Teddy in my corner, and in seven weeks you guys are gonna see something a lot better than what you’re used to seeing. You’ll see a huge improvement and it’s only going to be seven weeks. We got many more camps and much more time to work.

Jenna J: Floyd Mayweather had the final fight of his career against Andre Berto. What did you think of his performance? Do you think now that he retired that maybe you can step up and take that throne as the number one welterweight?

Timothy Bradley: His performance was fantastic, he had a fantastic performance against Andre Berto. He had fun in there, it was his last out. He showed a lot of speed, a lot of quickness, great movement, high IQ for the sport of boxing. It was unbelievable and I really enjoyed the show.

A lot of people were writing the fight off, but Andre Berto came to fight hard, he was in his face all night. He took Floyd’s best punches and Andre Berto continued to move forward and tried to make a fight out of it, I was impressed with him as well. I just thought it was a great show, honestly.

It sucks that Mayweather is leaving, but his time has come and if he wants to come back he can do so, he still has it. Secondly on filling that void, there will never be another Mayweather, probably not in this era right now but there is room to be the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the game. I think right now it’s a toss up between Manny Pacquiao and possibly Andre Ward — who are two sensational fighters.

I would love to be the number one pound for pound fighter in the world, but at the same time, you have to have partners to dance with to the able to prove that. The way the nature of the sport is going, the direction it’s going in, I don’t know if I’ll ever have that opportunity to be able to partner up with certain fighters. I would love an opportunity to fight all of the best fighters in the welterweight division to claim that spot.

Jenna J: Manny Pacquiao has been in talks to return possibly against Amir Khan. Do you think that’s a good return fight for him?

Timothy Bradley: Yeah it’s a really good return fight for him. Both guys are quick, they both know each other, they’ve been in the ring with each other, so both guys know what to expect.

I think the only downside from Amir Khan’s standpoint would be that Manny is the harder puncher in that fight. I know Amir might be the quicker guy but Manny is the harder puncher and if Manny lands on Amir — there’s no way of strengthening a chin and Danny Garcia was able to knock him out, Prescott was able to knock him out — Manny Pacquiao has the ability to knock Amir out.

Let me tell you, Manny Pacquiao can punch and we saw that when he fought Floyd Mayweather. When Pacquiao hit Mayweather on the chin with that left hand, Mayweather backed up a little bit and was dazed from that punch but was able to survive. This guy can still punch, no matter how old he is. He still has that punch, he still has those ankles and he still has good feet, he can move and he’s super intelligent.

I would go with Pacquiao on that fight to be honest with you, but still I think it would be entertaining because Amir is never in a boring fight, he’s always in an entertaining fight, he always puts his heart out there. You can’t really count Amir out, but that’s just my opinion on the fight.

Jenna J: What is you official prediction for you November 7th fight against Brandon Rios?

Timothy Bradley: We know I’m not gonna knock him out, that ain’t gonna happen. But I know it’s gonna be a great fight, I know Rios will be ready and I will be ready. Like I always tell you and I’m never going to stop saying this, at the end of the fight I will be victorious once again. I will beat another great fighter who’s going to come ready to go, but it’s just not gonna be good enough.