Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Undbeaten Mexican To Test Tim Bradley

Published

on

Deep in the desert with temperatures soaring well past 115 degrees Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (20-0, 11 KOs) prepares for yet another undefeated fighter when he faces Mexico’s Miguel Vazquez.

His trainer Joel Diaz, a former pro fighter too, feels his student is ready for any junior welterweight in the world including IBF titleholder Paulie Malignaggi and WBC titleholder Junior Witter.

“Tim is mentally ready to fight the junior welterweight champions of the world,” said Diaz, whose brother Julio holds the IBF lightweight title. “He’s just waiting.”

On Friday July 27, Bradley faces Vazquez (19-0, 9 KOs) in a battle of undefeated junior welterweights at Omega International Products in Corona. Bradley is ranked number three by the WBC and Vazquez is unranked.

“We know he likes to come forward and he’s always on his opponent,” said Diaz.

Vazquez comes from Guadalajara, Mexico and is making his first appearance on U.S. soil. All of his previous 19 pro fights have been in Mexico City and Guadalajara. He’s beaten six undefeated fighters.

“It’s not an easy fight. Nineteen and 0 is 19 and 0,” said Diaz. “He’s never lost.”

For Bradley the main detriment is finding sparring partners who can stay in the ring with him.

“It’s getting to be a bigger problem,” Diaz says. “We’re going to have to go out to find sparring.”

Aside from his stable mate Dominic Salcido, a lightning quick lightweight, Bradley’s team had to scour Southern California and came across a welterweight named Aaron Martinez who holds the California state welterweight title.

“Aaron is a real strong kid who was perfect (sparring) for Timothy,” said Diaz.

This could be the last time boxing fans in Riverside and San Bernardino County get an opportunity to see Bradley before he moves on to the bigger venues in Las Vegas and New York.

“We’re just waiting for the call,” says Diaz. “Tim is ready for anybody even Malignaggi.”

Diaz says that Bradley watches boxing religiously and studies as many junior welterweights as possible.

“He knows everything about the other guys in his weight class. He spends all night watching tapes of the fighters,” said Diaz. “Nobody is hungrier to make it than Tim.”

Junior welterweights stars on Bradley’s list:

Demetrius Hopkins fought last Saturday and knocked out Colombia’s Jailer Berrio at 2:57 in the second round. It was left hooks that dropped Berrio twice in the second round. Hopkins is the cousin of light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins.

IBF titleholder Malignaggi, who recently captured the title with a convincing victory over Lovemore N’Dou, is a target for the Indio prizefighter. The speedy New Yorker could equal Bradley’s speed, but can he match his power?

Vivian Harris recently won the right to face WBC junior welterweight titleholder Junior Witter when he edged Southern California’s Juan Lazcano last February. Bradley could face whoever emerges as the winner from a fight expected to occur on Sept. 7, in England.

Victor Ortiz fights out of Oxnard, but like Bradley, is relatively unknown outside of the West Coast where he’s decimated opponents. A match between Bradley and Ortiz would be a sell out in California or Las Vegas in about five years. Both need to build up their fan base before tackling each other.

Carlos Baldomir back in title hunt

Argentina’s Carlos Baldomir, who formerly held the welterweight world title, is meeting former welterweight champion Vernon Forrest for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title on Saturday at the Emerald Casino.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. captured the title from Oscar De La Hoya last May 5, but decided to vacate the title and fight as a welterweight.

The title fight will be aired on HBO.

“I’m moving up in weight for this fight,” said Baldomir when he was last in Southern California. “I was a welterweight for a long time and it was difficult making the weight.”

Forrest has been fighting at junior middleweight since 2005 but only has three fights in that time. He edged out Ike Quartey last summer and has battled arm injuries for three years.

The Georgia boxer who beat Shane Mosley twice has a big height and reach advantage over the much shorter Baldomir. All Forrest needs is a good stiff left jab to win this fight. But will his left hand be healthy?

Baldomir is a rough and tough brawler who knows how to fight inside and has a granite chin. He beat speedy Zab Judah and knocked out Arturo Gatti who were close to his own size. In this fight he gives up five inches in height.

“I expect a good fight,” said Baldomir.

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Andre Berto (18-0, 16 KOs) vs. Cosme Rivera (30-10-2, 21 KOs).

Fri. Telefutura, 8 p.m., Martin Castillo (31-2, 17 KOs) vs. Oscar Andrade (36-27-1, 18 KOs).

Sat. HBO, 10:15 p.m., Carlos Baldomir (43-10-6) vs. Vernon Forrest (38-2, 28 KOs); replay of Bernard Hopkins vs. Winky Wright fight.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles5 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 hours ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles1 day ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 days ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 days ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles5 days ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles1 week ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending