By Chris Robinson

For Timothy Bradley, the night of Saturday, Oct. 12 will forever stand as an essential part of his makeup as a fighter.

A slight underdog heading into his match with Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez inside of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) produced perhaps his most disciplined and intelligent fight as a professional in capturing a split-decision verdict following twelve tense rounds of action.

And while Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KO’s) was dangerous every second of the bout, Bradley found a way to neutralize his offense despite absorbing the occasional heavy shot.

At the post-fight press conference, Bradley was asked if he feels a victory over Marquez, one of the best Mexican fighters of all time, would finally get him the respect he feels he has been lacking.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” said Bradley. “If I get the respect, great. If I don’t, keep betting against me. I’m just going to keep winning.”

Bradley was then questioned for a comparison of Marquez to one of his former foes, Manny Pacquiao.

Bradley upset Pacquiao in June of 2012 via split-decision in a victory that was far less convincing than the Marquez effort.

Bradley couldn’t pick or choose between either man, instead offering up great praise for each.

“Well, they’re both big punchers,” Bradley revealed. “Marquez dazed me a couple times in the fight. They’re both big punchers. One is coming from the left position. One is coming from the right position. I can’t really judge who’s better or not.

“Because, in the Pacquiao fight, my feet were hurt,” Bradley continued. “I couldn’t really move like I wanted to in that fight. That being said, both are great champions, both are great warriors, and they’re legends in the sport. Living legends.”

At 30 years of age, Bradley is ten years Marquez’s junior and he certainly seemed sharper and fresher at key points in the contest.

Still, Bradley dismissed any talk that Marquez’s age may have finally caught up with him on this night.

“No, not really,” said Bradley. “He’s one of the best in the world. I didn’t feel like age was a factor in there. He still competed, he still came back, still tried to win. I just felt that honestly, my speed, my footwork was the key.”