By Peter Wells: On December 12th we end the year with one of boxing’s hottest prospects and another undefeated and younger fight. This is a fight between Timothy Bradley 24-0 with 1 no-contest due to the head clash against Nate Campbell which was changed to a no-contest after being ruled a technical knockout. His opponent is a year younger at 25 and 27-0 with 13 knockouts, and he can punch. He is also 3inches taller and has a 5inch reach advantage, it is a good advantage but Bradley makes up for the loss of height in his build. He is built like a brick and may not be a puncher but is one hell of a tricky fighter.

The fight is for Timothy Bradley’s WBO Light Welterweight which he won off Kendall Holt by split decision last December. He won his WBC title off Junior Witter in a major upset, and had to vacate it. Since Devon Alexander won that belt against Junior Witter. Lamont Peterson won the WBO Interim belt in April and is Bradley’s number 1 challenger. This is a make or break fight for Bradley, if he performs well even gets a knockout he’ll be transformed into a future star, if he performs badly or even loses he will be back to square one and will just be known as another world champion who know one cares about.

This is how I feel the fight will unfold, you may have different opinions but this is mine:

Round 1-Bradley comes forward jabbing out of his orthodox stance; Peterson beats Bradley to most of the jabs. Timothy goes downstairs before moving away before being caught. Peterson beats Bradley to the jab again, but Bradley goes to the body making Peterson flinch. Both fighters work off their jabs for the remainder of the round.

10-9 Peterson

Round 2-Peterson catches Bradley early with a big right just catching him on the side of the head; Bradley tucks his chin in as he walks forward before landing a succession of body shots before finishing with a right to the head. Bradley gets frustrated as he can’t open Lamont up with his jabs as he rarely gets through first. Bradley gets caught dodging out after landing two shots to the head.

10-9 Peterson

Round 3-Peterson fails to land a combination as Bradley bobs and weaves but lands no punches of his own. Peterson gets caught while throwing a right, then Bradley goes downstairs and tries to back Peterson against the ropes. Lamont holds on and pushes Bradley away before firing a double jab. Peterson gets caught twice to the head and moves backwards with his hands high. Peterson throws a big right after a jab but Bradley avoids both shots. Timothy ends the round landing a double jab.

10-9 Bradley

Round 4-Bradley holds on and lands to punches to the head and body, Peterson grimaces and pulls away, Bradley is quick to land a straight right on the chin of Lamont and follow up with a double jab and a right which is blocked. Bradley starts to hurry things up and chases Peterson throwing jabs hoping to get through and stun the fleeing challenger. Peterson lies against the ropes and fires a double left hook as Bradley attempts a body shot, which misses as he is knocked back by a right. Peterson moves away and lands a double jab but misses with a big right.

10-9 Bradley

Round 5-Bradley stalks Peterson waiting for a chance to strike, Peterson misses a jab and Bradley lands a simultaneous left then a quick hard right which knocks Peterson back to the ropes; Bradley fires away and the referee looks closely and Lamont slumps against the ropes and lands nothing in return. Finally Peterson is able to hold Bradley and gets out of their, blood pouring from his nose. Peterson gets back to his boxing and out jabs Bradley for the rest of the round before getting caught by a stinging left on the bell.

10-9 Bradley

Round 6-Bradley misses a double shot and takes three in return; he then ducks a double right and gets caught by a jab but avoids the follow up right. Peterson lands a jab but takes a right to the body; Peterson tries to hold on and gets caught by a short left and goes back against the ropes. Bradley doesn’t have enough time to get to Peterson and misses out on a good chance to wrap things up. Bradley’s gets caught by a right but avoids the follow up and blocks a double jab. Bradley ends on the back foot but catches Peterson with a right and the rest of the combination is caught on the back of Lamont’s guard.

10-9 Peterson

Round 7-Peterson opens up with a double jab; Peterson holds on and lands a double uppercut which snaps back the head of Bradley, both fighters go back to centre ring and stand for a while before two jabs from Bradley slightly miss and is countered by a jab. Bradley ends the round with a good body attack but most shots are blocked.

10-10 Even

Round 8-Peterson looks tired and is swollen around his left eye; while Bradley has slight swelling over his right eye, also blood is still running from Peterson nose as he walks backwards in centre ring. Bradley lands a big right to the body but is caught with a jab as Peterson steps backwards looking in some distress. Bradley starts walking Peterson down coming on with sharp shots on the ropes; Peterson refuses to give up and lands a left hook followed by a right uppercut, which gives him chance to escape from the corner. Bradley lands a couple of jabs before pinning Peterson against the ropes again with a left to the body.

10-9 Bradley

Round 9-Peterson walks to centre ring and is caught with two heavy right hands early on the other shots hitting his high gloves. Peterson tries to fire back but gets caught by a neat left on the inside; he tries an uppercut but misses and takes a one-two on his chin. Bradley drops his guard and goes to work to the body then the head in a super fast movement. The crowd get on their feet expecting a big knockout, but Bradley can’t keep it going as Peterson uses his jab to get out of range.

10-9 Bradley

Round 10-Bradley is started to look warn out but still has enough left, while a swollen up Peterson looks like he has nothing left at all. Lamont falls against the ropes and takes 3 punches all on his elbows and gloves. A stinging right shakes Peterson badly and he falls back and stumbles into the ropes. Bradley fires away and the referee jumps in to stop the fight. Peterson complains about the stoppage, but it was well timed and Bradley was well in control.

Final Verdict- Bradley W TKO 10

Bradley winning 87-85