LAS VEGAS, (Reuters) – American Timothy Bradley has laboured outside of the boxing spotlight for much of his career, but on Saturday he has a shot at fame and fortune when he steps in the ring to battle Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao.
Bradley, 28-0 (12 KOs), who considers the fight the biggest of his career and likely not even in Pacquiao’s top 10, believes taking such a big step up in the quality of opposition will work to his advantage.
““I’m going to put it all on the line on Saturday,” he told reporters yesterday. ““This is not his biggest fight, it’s my biggest fight. … It’s all or nothing.”
Bradley is a heavy underdog for his challenge of WBO welterweight champion Pacquiao, 54-3-2 (38 KOs), who will be making his 13th appearance in a main event on the Las Vegas strip when they meet at the MGM Grand.
It will be the first opportunity on the big stage for the 28-year-old American, who is recognized in boxing circles as a tough, skilled fighter, but who for most of his career has laboured just outside the spotlight.
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