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"I want to be the undisputed middleweight champion and I want to fight Hopkins"
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Former WBO Champion, Lonnie Bradley
Julius Stecker: How is training going?
Lonnie Bradley: Really good, couldn't be better.
Julius Stecker: Who are you fighting this Friday and what do you know about him?
Lonnie Bradley: I am fighting in Tucson, Arizona, on ESPN 2, my opponent is a south paw and he a tough Mexican fighter, which makes for an even tougher combination. His name is David Lopez and he has a .500 record but he is coming off 3 quality wins...He is very unconventional so it will make him a hard fight.
Julius Stecker: Everybody who follows Lonnie Bradley knows your story and the adversity you have dealt with in your career because of the detached retina and the long layoff, but what does it mean to you to be back in the fight game?
Lonnie Bradley: Oh it is a blessing, a great opportunity, and I am very excited to be back.
Julius Stecker: You are a former world champion, and you are undefeated but at this stage in your career what is your goal as a fighter?
Lonnie Bradley: My goal is to be the best at 160-168 pounds and eventually move up to light-heavyweight and be the best there. I want to be the best fighter pound 4 pound out there, of course I want to be the undisputed middleweight champion and I want to fight Bernard Hopkins, but I also want to fight guys like William Joppy and Robert Allen as well. I also want to take on the those young middleweights like Jermain Taylor.
Julius Stecker: You also got those lucrative Junior Middleweights.
Lonnie Bradley: Oh yes, you got Shane, Vargas, De La Hoya, right in the thick of things between 154-168, I am definitely looking for those fights as well.
Julius Stecker: Tell me about your relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard.
Lonnie Bradley: It is a great relationship, he is one of my idols and it great to be a part of his promotion. I consider myself a world class fighter and Sugar Ray Leonard promotions is a world class promotion.
Julius Stecker: In December, Bernard Hopkins will be taking on William Joppy who do you think wins that fight and why?
Lonnie Bradley: I hope Hopkins wins because I want a shot at him, this fight may not be an exciting fight, but this could be a sleeper fight, Joppy brings it and is scrappy so it could be closer then expected.
Julius Stecker: What was your greatest moment as a prize fighter?
Lonnie Bradley: When I beat Simon Brown, I beat Simon Brown at his best, I won 10 out 12 rounds in that fight. He really could not do nothing with me except for maybe head butts, I think in that fight I showed great ring generalship. Also my 1st title defense against Dario Victor Galindez that was big moment for me as well.
Julius Stecker: What can the boxing world expect from Lonnie Bradley in there near future?
Lonnie Bradley: For me to be at the pinnacle of the sport. I'm back on track and I want to be at the top of the sport. A lot people associate boxing with guys like Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr, I want to try and get that level of recognition.
TalkingBoxing would like to thank Lonnie Bradley for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. We wish you the best of luck this Friday on ESPN Friday Night Fights!