Monday, March 3, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
The importance of Tuesday's fight at the Aladdin isn't lost on the titleholder in the main event, World Boxing Organization middleweight champ Lonnie Bradley.
Despite holding the belt, Bradley not only recognizes he's in with a dangerous opponent but that the loser will be dealt a significant setback.
"This really is a big fight," Bradley said of his bout with Otis Grant. "USA (cable) is getting a pretty good fight for their money."
Banner Promotions is putting on the nationally televised card, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
While there's also an NABF title fight on the bill, there isn't any doubt Bradley vs. Grant is the focal point.
Bradley is 25-0 with 19 knockouts, while Grant is 28-1 with 16 KOs.
Bradley is coming off wins over Lonnie Beasley and former world champ Simon Brown, while Grant has won six straight -- Rodney Toney and James "Hardrock" Green are the best known of that group -- since losing to Quincy Taylor in 1994.
"His style fits me," Bradley said of Grant. "He's workmanlike and methodical and I'm a boxer/puncher. I've got to go in there and fight smarter than he does. I've got to out-box him."
Bradley, 28, brings speed, skill and halfway decent power into the ring. Grant, 29, is a southpaw who has twice held the NABF 160-pound title.
International Boxing Digest ranks Bradley No. 5 in the division and has Grant at No. 8. The latest SUN rankings reversed the two, with Grant No. 5 and Bradley No. 8.
"Heck, I'm sorry he and I have to meet right now," Bradley said, flashing a certain business acumen. "It would have been better for both of us if we were fighting for some larger stakes, where it would be a financial benefit to both of us."
Bradley will come into the bout without his longtime manager, Dave Wolf, but with his longtime trainer, Bobby Cassidy. Bradley broke his ties with Wolf but retained Cassidy, who has handled him throughout his career.
"He's on top of his game as far as ability and confidence goes," Cassidy said. "Beating Simon Brown gave him a real lift. I know he's not going to be intimidated at all, no matter who he has to fight."
Bradley hasn't lost since dropping a U.S. Olympic Trials fight with Raul Marquez in 1992.
But Grant hasn't been losing either.
"This is a big fight for both guys," Cassidy said. "The winner will get some recognition that should lead to even bigger fights."
Topping the undercard is a fight between Steve Martinez, 33-1-1, and Warren Williams, 13-7-1, for the vacant NABF junior middleweight title. Martinez is a clear favorite in that matchup.
Also scheduled: Sean Daughtrey, 12-1, vs. Rudy Lovato, 6-7, eight rounds, welterweights; Joey Borrero, 7-3-1, vs. Jesus Lopez, 11-4, six rounds, super bantamweights; Alfonso Alcarez, 3-0-1, vs. Ramon Aragon, 1-4, four rounds, junior lightweights; and Steve Mussachio, pro debut, vs. Ron Hasbrouck, 0-4-1, four rounds, light heavyweights.
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