Timothy Bradley defends his junior welterweight title belts against Nate Campbell
In an exciting match featuring two of the best junior welterweight fighters in the world, Timothy Bradley puts his WBO title on the line against former lightweight champion Nate Campbell on Saturday August, 1. Bradley is looking to stay undefeated while Campbell is looking to win a title in his second weight class.
Meet The Fighters
Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley
24 (11) – 0
Height: 5’6″ Reach: 69″
Best Wins: UD Kendall Holt, SD Junior Witter
Nate “The Galaxy Warrior” Campbell
33 (25) – 5 – 1
Height: 5’7″ Reach: 72″
Best Wins: SD Juan Diaz, TKO10 Kid Diamond
Bradley vs. Campbell Preview
Timothy Bradley is coming off a decision win in a title unification bout against Kendall Holt. He was badly hurt in the early going of the fight but was able to rebound and apply pressure to win the bout. While not packing a very strong punch, he has quick hands, a great chin and applies steady pressure over the course of a fight.
Bradley has not looked spectacular in his biggest fights, but he finds a way to win when it matters. At just 25 years of age, he certainly has youth in his favor for this fight.
Nate Campbell has been through many ups and downs over the course of his boxing career. If Bradley has youth in his corner, than Campbell certainly has experience.
After finally winning a major fight against Juan Diaz, Campbell then could not make weight for his first lightweight title defense. He won the bout, but lost his titles on the scales and so has ventured up to the junior welterweight division for more late-career glory.
Bradley vs. Campbell Prediction
The Timothy Bradley vs. Nate Campbell fight is a tossup that could truly go in either direction. The fight really rests on the shoulders of Campbell. Campbell, as mentioned, has been through a great deal of ups and downs over his career. Most of those have been self inflicted due to uneven performances and stupid mistakes.
He put the whole package together against Juan Diaz and was able to move past a difficult challenger in Ali Funeka. One question that remains is whether he will be stronger at 140 pounds without needing to cut weight, or whether he will be overpowered by a stronger fighter there. The latter is unlikely, considering the gritty fighting style of Campbell, along with his experience and size.
Considering that, and Bradley’s lack of power, Campbell should be able to fight his kind of fight. If he can establish the jab and maintain the work rate that he showed against Juan Diaz, he should be able to control the pace and distance of the fight. Bradley, frustrated, may have problems getting into a groove. Considering Bradley’s chin and heart, Campbell will have a hard time finishing him off but should be able to dictate the action.
Expect a close bout to go back and forth, with Bradley winning rounds with his hand speed and pressure, but Campbell winning more with his superior ring generalship. It’s another late-career hurrah for Campbell, who will take home another title belt, this time via unanimous decision.
On the undercard – Junior Witter vs. Devon Alexander
Despite the fact that Timothy Bradley defeated Junior Witter to win the WBC junior welterweight crown, he then had to forfeit the belt after unifying with the WBO title holder Kendall Holt. Now Witter gets a shot at regaining his old title against undefeated prospect Devon Alexander.
Witter brings a unique and awkward style to the ring, and boasts both power and boxing skills. Alexander, at just 22 years of age and with a record of 18-0 with 11 knockouts is inexperienced. He has extremely quick hands and solid boxing fundamentals.
If Witter can catch Alexander with something big early on, he could potentially finish him off or discourage him enough to win a decision. If no big punch finds its home, Alexander’s superior speed will catch the day. Another tossup bout on a busy night for the junior welterweight division.
