RANCHO MIRAGE — The press conference to announce Cathedral City boxer Timothy Bradley's Dec. 12 title defense against Lamont Peterson last week was filled with mutual respect between two fighters who have been friends since their teenage years.

Of course, the first press conference for Bradley's fight against Nate Campbell went the same way.

“Yeah, then the devil got inside that guy (Campbell),” Timothy Bradley Sr. said.

The first time Bradley Jr. fought in the Palm Springs area was Aug. 1. During the first press conference to announce the fight, Campbell and Bradley were more than cordial to each other.

That all changed leading up to the fight. Campbell, renowned for his trash talking, stirred up the pot throughout the pre-fight press conferences, highly critical of Bradley's punching power, the fighters he had beaten and his experience.

On Aug. 1, the first fight at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino and Bradley's first time fighting in his hometown as a professional, the fight was ruled a technical knockout victory after it was determined Campbell said he couldn't see out of his right eye because of a cut.

However, the ruling was overturned to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission because it was determined Campbell's cut was caused by a Bradley head butt.

However, the Bradley camp had issues with the way the fight ended because Campbell, in their opinion, said he quit.

“Every time I look at the fight, I get upset,” Bradley said. “He knows in his heart and I know as a competitor. We just know. That's one of the reasons why he came after me after the verdict.

“He coming after me because he must feel something deep inside, that he did quit. He wants to back it up a little bit. ‘I didn't quit. I'll fight you outside.' Oh, so now you want to fight me.”

Bradley points out that head butts are part of the game, and that he was almost knocked out once by a head butt, but continued and won his fight.

He also points out a Juan Diaz fight where he had two cuts, which were nastier than what Campbell had, and still won his fight.

During last week's press conference, Bradley's promoter, Gary Shaw, opened up about the Campbell situation.

“Campbell quit. He was a chicken and he quit. I don't care if the California Commission ruled it a no contest,” said Shaw. “Real fighters don't want their fights stopped. They want to go, sometimes to their own detriment. But that was one fighter who didn't want to fight.

“He cheated Agua Caliente, he cheated the fans, and most of all, he cheated Tim Bradley. Tim Bradley was going to knock him out.”

Peterson was at Agua Caliente on Aug. 1 and saw the fight first hand. He sides with Team Bradley.

“I couldn't believe Nate actually quit,” Peterson said. “As a fighter, regardless of what happens, I don't care if your toe comes off in the fight or one of your hands come off in the fight. Its your responsibility to fight while you're in there,” Peterson said. “It's up to the referee, the doctor and your corner to stop the fight, not you. You, as a fighter, are supposed to fight under any circumstance.”