Manny Pacquiao has signed a contract to face Top Rank stablemate Timothy Bradley on June 9 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, confirmed Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz.
The agreement now awaits the signature of Timothy Bradley, who will move up from 140 to face Pacquiao at 147 pounds. As Bradley stated to Beats, Boxing & Mayhem in November, his main reason for leaving promoter Gary Shaw for Bob Arum’s Top Rank was to secure a Pacquiao bout.
Far as me having a couple of names, I just want to fight the best fighters out there. I want the Floyd Mayweathers and Manny Pacquiaos, the cream of crop. A lot of the guys they’ve been fighting don’t have the credentials I have.
Bradley, who knocked out Joel Casamayor in his last bout on last year’s Pacquiao-Marquez III undercard, is undefeated and fought one bout at welterweight in 2009 against Carlos Abregu.
Pacquaio will face Bradley roughly one month after Floyd Mayweather takes on Miguel Cotto in the same venue. The two rivals were again unable to come to terms for a bout in May, marking another collapse of negotiations over the last two years.
The winner of Pacquiao-Bradley is likely to face the victor of Lamont Peterson versus Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao has had three close, controversial bouts with Marquez since 2005, winning two and earning a draw. Bradley holds a decision victory over Peterson.
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Mayweather and Pacquiao haven’t stopped their BS with each other, but at least this time we’re getting matchups we haven’t seen before. Mayweather-Cotto is the bigger attraction, but Pacquiao’s bout is his best opportunity to recapture the 2009 form he had in blitzing Ricky Hatton and Cotto. Bradley brings good pressure, but also comparable size and little punching power. Win or lose, this should be a good fight. With that said, is it good enough for you to head out to Vegas or purchase on pay-per-view?
Fans are already creating video promos. Let the hype begin.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 