By Leighton Ginn, USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — If Timothy Bradley was disappointed that he didn’t get a big-name fighter as his next opponent, he didn’t show it Wednesday during his press conference at the Millennium Biltmore.
Bradley, who signed his contract just before the noon press conference, will face Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., on March 16. It will be Bradley’s first fight since winning the WBO welterweight title against Manny Pacquiao in June, scoring the split decision victory despite injuries to both feet during the fight.
Hoping to get a big name fight to capitalize on his huge and controversial upset, Bradley couldn’t find any takers. So he’s fighting Provodnikov, a rough, offensive fighter who is No. 3 in the WBO rankings.
“I’m not mad, I’m just glad to be back. It’s been eight months, that’s a lot of time. It gave me time to gather my thoughts, get control of my career and let my feet heal up,” Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) said. “I’m happy to be back. I’m happy Ruslan took the fight. It’s kind of short notice. Normally you need eight weeks to get ready, but he looks like he stays in really good shape. He looks pretty low in weight right now, he’s probably 152 or something like that.”
They will fight for Bradley’s WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title.
Bradley, 29, from Palm Springs, Calif., said he’s walking around at 165 pounds right now, but isn’t concerned about losing the weight and being ready to defend his title.
Bradley expects this to be a busy year. After fighting only once in 2012, he said he would like to fight three or four times this year.
Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion TIMOTHY BRADLEY, JR. top-rated contender RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV, former two-time Méxican Olympian ÓSCAR VALDEZ and Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM will host a Los Angeles news conference luncheon, This Wednesday! February 6, beginning at Noon PT, in the Emerald Room at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (506 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90071-2607).
They will be announcing a spectacular event, headlined by Bradley’s first defense of the title he won last year off Manny Pacquiao, against the No. 2-rated contender Provodnikov. Valdez will highlight the undercard in a four-round featherweight bout.
Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Banner Promotions and Tecate, Bradley-Provodnikov will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.
By Tamara Stone, The Desert Sun
PALM SPRINGS — Boxing champion Timothy Bradley turned his fists from fighting opponents in the ring to fighting hunger by helping less fortunate families have a festive Thanksgiving.
On Tuesday, Bradley hosted his second annual Turkey Give Away at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 480 Tramview Road in Palm Springs.
“One of my goals in life has always been to be able to give back to the community and now it is with great honor and God’s great blessings that I am able to do just that,” Bradley said.
More than 100 residents of the Desert Highland Gateway community received a free turkey from Bradley to help complete their holiday dinner.
This was the first year Bradley hosted the event in Palm Springs. Last November, Bradley gave away turkeys to less fortunate families in Desert Hot Springs.