By Ian “Normen Bates” Sims: What if I told you there was a fighter that unified the titles in his division twice in under four years, what if I told you this same fighters last three opponents have a combined record of Seventy Seven and zero, or what if I told you the fighter in question has traveled across seas to win a world title in his opponents backyard.
Well, such a fighter doses exist, his name is Timothy “Dessert Storm” Bradley and up until this point in time he’s done everything correct. Traveled overseas, unified the titles, and faced three undefeated fighters in a row. Bradley personifies the American blue-collar worker, nothing special, nothing flashy, but he shows up on time and gets the job done.
At a time when so many of our top fighters use the cliché’ “talk to my promoter response” Bradley’s willingness to fight anybody and everybody is what Boxing fans have craved for over the last few years. Bradley joins a short list of fighters willing to take on whoever the task calls for regardless of the risk versus reward factor.
After Saturday’s lackluster but effective win over Devon Alexander Boxing fans are left wondering who will the Dessert Strom face next. The logical choice would be Amir “Can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread man” Khan, but realistically that fight doesn’t look close at all. Chances are Golden Boy Promotions will keep Amir Khan away from Bradley until he losses or magically disappears.
Bradley has also been the number one contender for Manny Pacqauio’s Jr. Welterweight title since the day Manny won it, but with Pacqauio more content on using a potential Floyd Mayweather fight as an excuse to take on soft opponents that fight doesn’t look close either.
I once heard someone say “as a fighter your work is never done” and Bradley’s next opponent is waiting in the wing and he’s probably just as hungry as the next man. I don’t think he’ll get a date with Amir Khan or Manny Pacqauio but a Devon Alexander Rematch, the winner of Zab Judah vs Kaizer Mabuza, or a rescheduling of his canceled bout with Marcos Maidana all sound like realistic options and judging from his track record Bradley won’t hesitate to face any of them.