Timothy Bradley will put his World Boxing Organisation title on the line on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) against Brandon Rios at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas.

Bradley (32-1-1, 12 KOs), one of boxing’s elite welterweights, heads into his match against Rios as the heavy favourite to win after coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jessie Vargas in June. Rios (33-2-1, 23 KOs), meanwhile, is looking for his third consecutive victory after putting up strong performances against Chaves (August 2014) and Mike Alvarado (January 2015).

Bradley has looked less than spectacular ever since losing to Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in April last year, followed by a controversial draw against Argentine slugger Diego Chaves last December. However, Bradley’s new cornerman, Teddy Atlas, whom he brought on board following his departure with his long-time trainer Joel Diaz, seemed to have gotten the “Desert Storm” back in his best form.

Atlas was pleased with Bradley’s development ahead of their clash on Nov. 8 AEDT bout with Rios. The legendary trainer told Boxing Scene that Bradley has been very eager to learn more from him and put his ego aside to prepare for “Bam Bam.”

“I am not the same fighter I was before,” Bradley said, reports Boxing News Online. “No trainer of mine has ever prepared for a fight like Teddy has for me against Rios.”

Meanwhile, Rios has been training hard to prepare for Bradley’s best fighting shape, which defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in 2013. The former world champion said he has grown from a lot of experiences in his previous matches, but Rios still acknowledged Bradley as the second-best fighter he has ever faced.

According to Michael Montero of Boxing News 24, the fight against Bradley could make Rios a big-time player in the world of boxing and could also get his trainer Robert Garcia back in the picture.

“For Rios, this is the chance to score the biggest win of his career and become a major player in the welterweight division, setting up big business down the road,” Montero wrote. “For trainer Robert Garcia, a victory would help him get back to where he was a few years ago, when his gym was one of the hottest in all of boxing.”

Meanwhile, Saturday’s card will also feature Ukrainian featherweight phenom Vasyl Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KOs) defending his WBO world title against Mexican contender Romulo Koasicha (25-4, 15 KOs).

Fight broadcast and match time

Timothy Bradley vs. Brandon Rios will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing and will kick off at 1:30 pm AEDT on Nov. 8.

Latest odds (Courtesy of OddsShark)

OddsShark: Bradley -500 Rios +333

BetOnline: Bradley -515 Rios +400

WestGate Las Vegas: Bradley -500 Rios +400

Bet365: Bradley -500 Rios +350

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