Marquez S&C Coach Angel Heredia Threatens Legal Action against Timothy Bradley

Juan Manuel Marquez’s strength and conditioning coach, Angel “Memo” Heredia, is threatening legal action against Timothy Bradley for alleged “defamatory and inflammatory remarks” made by Bradley during the taping of HBO’s Bradley-Marquez 24/7 promotional television series.

The 2-episode television program chronicled both boxers’ preparations for their October 12th bout at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bradley defeated Marquez by split decision in the fight, 113-115, 115-113 and 115-112. The fight was aired on HBO PPV.

Speaking through attorney Jason R. Mosley, Heredia formally asked Bradley for “an immediate and public retraction” of his statements which aired on the program, such as “Marquez hired a cheater” and “bring the needle.”

According to the letter, which was hand delivered to Bradley today in Las Vegas, Heredia’s legal team will “begin immediate action to enjoin [him] from further such statements and to seek damages” if he does not comply with the request.

Heredia told TSS he believes he’s being unjustly singled out by Bradley.

“We have decided to put a stop to defamatory statements made by people without facts or evidence,” said Heredia. “My lawyer, Jason R. Mosley, and my advisor, Phyllis Shalor, have agreed to help me stop these accusations and bias.”

The letter advises Bradley his remarks “were designed to attack [Marquez] and his conditioning coach’s credibility…such public statements have both the purpose and actual effect of interfering with Mr. Heredia’s ongoing business relationships with his clients…[he] is suffering economic damages as a direct result…”.

Heredia is an admitted former PEDs dealer who turned federal witness in the 2006 Trevor Graham doping case. He now works as a strength and conditioning coach for boxers and says he has changed his ways.

“Everything is legal and legit,” said Heredia.

The PED testing issue between the Bradley and Marquez camps was a hot topic right from the start. The bout was previously considered in jeopardy due to preferences in both camps for different anti-doping programs.

Marquez reportedly preferred using the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) program, which also administers tests for U.S. Olympic athletes, while Bradley preferred using the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) program.

As a compromise, advanced PED testing for the bout was paid for by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions and handled through the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The tests were handled by a WADA-accredited lab “utilizing The Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Salt Lake City, Utah, to collect the samples and perform the testing.”

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer would not relate any more specifics about the advanced testing program being administered through the NSAC other than to say “any and all tests” were possible.

“Obviously, I’m not going to give any details while the testing is on-going,” said Kizer back in August. “I’ll be happy to discuss in detail after October 12.”

Kizer does not believe PED testing programs should be discussed in detail until after they have ended.

“It is not uncommon to not talk too specifically about on-going testing,” Kizer answered. “It could affect the efficiency of the testing, and it is not fair to the athletes being tested.”

TSS has requested further details from Kizer now that the program is complete.

In addition to being tested by the NSAC, Bradley also re-enrolled in a VADA program through October 12.

Information provided by the Marquez camp confirmed any discussions with USADA about a similar standalone testing program for their fighter ended the moment Bradley signed up with VADA. This was also confirmed by USADA.

“USADA only conducts an anti-doping program when both fighters agree to the rules and requirements to be included in the USADA program,” said Annie Skinner, USADA Media Relations Manager.

“USADA will not conduct a testing program while another organization (other than the boxing commission who collects a fight night sample) is testing one or both fighters, as the other organization may not hold the fighters to the same standards as USADA, the athletes may be confused by differing protocols, and because the USADA program is required to remain consistent with the WADA Code and International Standards.”

Timothy Bradley did not return a request for comment.

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