by James Slater – It’s sure been a frustrating time for reigning WBO light-welterweight champion Timothy Bradley over the past few months. First, he couldn’t find any-one at all to face him, then, having seemingly secured a fight with the unbeaten Argentine Luis Carlos Abregu, Bradley saw that fight go out of the window as a far more exciting-looking fight with the big-punching Marcos Maidana came up to replace it. Then, Bradley saw this fight fall apart, too; due to a back injury Maidana (also of Argentina) suffered..
Now, according to Fightnews.com, Bradley, finds himself right back at square one; as the fight with Abgregu is back on for July 17th in California. Set to go ahead up at welterweight, the non-title 12-rounder will be the first fight for 26-year-old Bradley this year. Abregu, a year older at age 27, and 29-0(23) as a pro, last fought in February of this year, when he out-pointed the tough Richard Gutierrez.
Bradley, who simply loves to fight and wants to do so against the best possible opponents out there, will be glad he has a fight again; yet we can only guess how badly his preparations have been disrupted with all the changes in opponent. First, “Desert Storm” was training for the physically strong and durable Abregu, then he began getting ready for the lethal-punching Maidana, and now he must go back to getting himself reacquainted with Abregu’s style.
In the past, we have seen a number of great fighters lose due to how they entered a fight somewhat burnt out from over-training. Could this happen to the 25-0(11) Bradley in what will be his first fight up at 147-pounds?
Whoever wins in July, a distance fight looks a good bet. Abgregu has a proven chin (although he was decked by Guttierez last time out), and Bradley is also durable, as well as being fast and the much better boxer of the two. If the on/off/on situation with this fight has not affected him, and if ring-rust is not a problem either, the desperate-to-take-on-the-best Bradley should win a clear decision.
Competition-wise, Abregu has not faced any guys that can really compare with the top-notch men Bradley has taken on and defeated. “El Potro,” as Abregu is known, has wins to his name over David Estrada and Guttierrez, and he has also fought outside of Argentina before; so he is unlikely to be fazed by the Bradley fight. Instead, the 27-year-old is likely to be hugely motivated by his big chance.
Abregu may even be more “up” for this fight than Bradley is. But will it matter? “Desert Storm” on points. Then, hopefully, this hardworking fighter will get the big, big fights he craves.