Fans prepare for Bradley’s big fight

As the desert gears up to watch Coachella Valley native Timothy Bradley’s biggest fight of his life, they take their stand.

“Bradley is a good fighter. He’s strong. We’re hoping it’ll go pasteight rounds so we can watch a good fight,” boxing fan Antwan Rolle said.

The boxer, coach and father has garnered the respect of many.

“I like that he’s tough and that his dad coached him,” Cathedral City resident Stephen said. “I think he has it in him to take care of business.”

People say a win would put the Coachella Valley on the map, and they stand behind their close knit community.

“It’s a small area. If it was LA, it would be just another fighter, but becasue it’s a small area, a lot of people are attracted to him,” boxing fan Verne Cornelius said.

Fans have a lot of options on where to watch the matchup, and there are perks to both going out and staying in.

“A casino because of the crowd. It’s more fun to watch a live event,” Cornelius said.

Bradley may be the underdog, but fans says lot of intangibles play into it.

“Boxers sometimes get famous and they can take somebody for granted, and not take someone seriously enough,” boxing fan James Aguilar said.

So, you really do never know.

Though Pacquiao’s record may be telling, it’s hard to abandon one’s Coachella Valley roots.

“My heart is will Bradley, but my pocketbook is with Pacquiao!” Aguilar said.