PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES WBO 140-POUND CHAMPION TIMOTHY BRADLEY, FORMER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION NATE CAMPBELL

 Homefield advantage or not, the talented, confident, supremely well-conditioned Bradley will have the toughest fight of his career against Campbell, of Jacksonville, Fla., a hard-hitting,  determined veteran who captured three of the 135-pound world title belts when he shocked the boxing world by beating previously undefeated Juan "The Baby Bull'' Diaz.

Bradley, a non-stop puncher who makes for crowd-pleasing fights, is one of the elite fighters at 140 and will be the favorite, but he has been known to go down and Campbell has registered knockouts in 25 of his 33 victories.
The promising Alexander is the most highly touted fighter to come out of St. Louis since four-time world champ Cory Spinks. Alexander has stopped 11 of his 18 opponents, including the last three in a row. The vastly more experienced Witter, a Brit who’s making his second start in the United States, lost a split decision to Bradley in his outing before last in Nottingham, England. Witter's other defeat came against then world champion Zab Judah in June 2000.  
Are the winners headed for a unification showdown? That question and many more will be answered on an evening of exciting fights on a hot summer August night in the desert. 
What Bradley, Campbell, the promoters and Aqua Caliente executives had to say at Tuesday’s press conference:

TIMOTHY BRADLEY

“I don’t think people realize or understand how exciting it is for me and how important it is for me to fight at home and on SHOWTIME. I have been asking for a fight here for a long time.

“It’s weird, really. I’m more well-known in England, the United States and Canada than I am in my own backyard. But that’s going to change on Aug. 1 and I am extremely happy about that.

“This will be a great night for boxing and an exciting night for the fans in this area to see one of their own in a great fight of this stature. I really appreciate Aqua Caliente for stepping up to the plate like they have.

“The recognition I get has been fantastic, but home is where I need the support. Home is where I want the support. Only stars and celebrities play the arena where we’re fighting, and I know I am going to shine.

“I’ve known Nate for a long time. I know what he brings to the table and that he is going to try and bring it to me. This is a tough, hard-fight. But that’s what I want. I want to fight the best.

“I didn’t have to take this. But I didn’t feel (Devon) Alexander had done enough to deserve a shot. Now, he’s fighting a guy I beat to win my first title, Junior Witter, on the undercard.

“That only makes this card better. I have to beat a highly regarded, determined, tough guy like Nate. I need his name on my resume to help get me where I want to go and am going to be.’’

NATE CAMPBELL

“I am just happy to fight. I had three lightweight belts and I couldn’t give them away, much less get anybody to fight me. I’ve fought bigger guys before so 140 is a very comfortable weight for me. I train all the time so the layoff won’t be a factor.

“There’s a lot of respect going on here both ways, but once the bell rings we’ll be trying to tear the other’s head off.  

“I have no problem fighting in his backyard, or anywhere for that matter. The only thing that matters is that I’m the baddest guy not only in the ring, but in the building whenever I fight.

“I’ve known Tim since when he was barely a blip on the radar screen. He fights with a lot of heart and he’s got the belt now, but I always feel like I’m the champion. He’s undefeated, but I am going to get that (zero).  I plan to do it all on Aug. 1.

“I fight because I love to fight and I love the sport. Mostly, though, I love to win. This fight has all the makings of a great one. Style-wise, it will be amazing. It’s going to be a monster ordeal.’’