‘Say My Name’: Timothy Bradley No Longer Under The Radar

bradley12.05.08 – By Vivek Wallace, photo by Sumio Yamada – After Saturday nights shocker in Nottingham, England, fight fans were left with a new ‘buzz’ to talk about. To use the word ‘Cinderella’ would be a bit misleading and inappropriate, but no doubt California’s Timothy Bradley flew under many fight fans radars for quite some time and at long last, the march is over, now for Bradley the true journey begins. When you look at the 140lb weight class, the first guys you think of is either Paul Malinaggi or Ricky Hatton. For the longest time Junior Witter was considered to be amongst them, but Saturday nights performance would suddenly change that. It’ll be interesting to see what Bradley does in the future, and although I’ve heard no formal discussions, I’ll end this portion of the ‘Weekend-Wrapup’ by asking does the 147 lb welterweight division have room for another talent? Call me crazy, but despite having his talents slightly spoiled by fighting a very unorthodoxed Witter, Bradley still managed to look very good and could have a very bright future in what’s already a standing-room-only ‘Battalion-of-young-Stallions’. Maybe not right away, but being undefeated and climbing, add me to that growing majority that would love to see him join the ranks!!

Margarito/Cotto A No-No?

After receiving the ‘green light’ from the Nevada Athletic Commision to have the fight at the MGM Grand, and also receiving clearance relative to the glove debate (8oz vs 10oz), apparently there’s still no sure-fire deal in place with signatures to make it official. Growing speculation has it that other plans could be unfolding to throw a potential wedge in the plans but nothing has been confirmed and based on the fact that – (although unsigned) – Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya are scheduled to fight again in September, I don’t see anything else being worthy of replacing this potential matchup. Hopefully things will be wrapped up within the next day or so, ending all speculation. There’s no true indication that this week will bring the matter to a close, but one thing for sure, TOP RANK, all eyes on you!

‘M&M’: Is Mosley Preparing For Mayorga?

Sources have confirmed that talks between the Mayorga camp and the Mosley camp have officially opened. After a very untimely incident resulting in stitches for Zab Judah forced a cancellation of his scheduled showdown with Mosley, it appears that Mayorga will now get the chance he recently desired to settle back into the the already crowded welterweight division. The stylistic matchup between Mosley and Judah was developing a major ‘buzz’ and would have been very interesting, however, now that Judah is officially out of the picture, a Mosley-Mayorga fight to some serves little purpose. When it’s all said and done, more than likely, it’ll be a points win for Shane. Unless Shane’s ego is still bruised after the loss to Cotto, I expect him to find a way to rack up points and re-enter his name in the Cotto/Mayweather sweepstakes if Floyd does sign and eventually defeat Oscar for a second time. With such a solid chin, it would be ignorant to count Mayorga out, but if Shane’s chin can hold up as well – like we know it can – it’s hard to see Mayorga out-pointing him. My analysis overall….Not a bad fight, but relative to Mayorga’s chances of getting in the thick of the welterweight mix, not a great fight either.

(Few In) The World Awaits: De La Hoya/Mayweather Still Not Done….

According to sources, there are still a few minor issues holding up the signatures necessary to bring to fruition the Mayweather/De La Hoya rematch. Last week it was reported that among the things holding up final negotiations, the fight location won’t be one of them, as Leonard Ellerbe was quoted in the Grand Rapids Press by the famed David Mayo as saying Goldenboy Promotions request to do the fight at the L.A. Dodgers Stadium or the L.A. Staples Arena would not happen. He then went on to say that the pre-fight tour would take part in more than the eleven cities they toured before the first fight, and that it would be a huge promotion. So as it stands, there’s gonna be a huge promotion, a huge tour, and alot of rave, but most continue to wonder what’s all the hoopla about because it appears that we’ll be watching an inactive potential all-time great against a faded picture from a broken past. If this is what a record-breaking megafight looks like, I now understand why the sport is losing fans.

(Got Feedback or Questions: Write ESB’s Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com or show some love at www.myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)

(Look out for Wednesdays weekly “Left-Hook Lounge” Q&A mailbag session featuring answers to prominent questions from fight fans around the globe)