It's unfortunate that Timothy Bradley Jr. is likely better known for last year's ugly and overhyped mess of a fight with Devon Alexander and his habitual in-ring head clashes than for his sublime speed, conditioning and pound-for-pound chops. Then again, Bradley will get his chance to recast himself when he challenges Manny Pacquiao for a welterweight title June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (HBO pay-per-view, 9 p.m. ET).
With his quickness, grit and solid experience at a relatively tender age (28), Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) is a legitimate threat to Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) -- certainly more dangerous than he has been given credit for by those who won't be satisfied by anything less than a Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. Even if he lacks one-punch finishing power, Bradley appears to have the skills and stamina to stage 12 competitive rounds with Pacquiao -- a claim only a handful of elite fighters can reasonably make.
ESPN.com enlisted HBO to engage Bradley in a conversation to learn more about the fighter in the lead-up to the Pacquiao bout. As part of an ongoing feature ahead of the fight, we will provide periodic updates with Bradley's responses.