Harry How - Getty Images
Manny Pacquiao's June opponent will soon be announced, and it appears to be down to two choices. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Trainer Freddie Roach is now favoring Timothy Bradley to be Manny Pacquiao's opponent in early June, and not Lamont Peterson or Miguel Cotto. From RingTV.com:
"I think that we need some new blood in there, and Bradley poses a little bit of a problem," said Roach, from his Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, Calif., on Monday. "So I would rather go with Tim Bradley than a Miguel Cotto or somebody else."
... "I have't talked to anyone yet, but I think that [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum's choices, to me, are Cotto or Bradley," said Roach. "I don't think that Mayweather is going to happen until November. I think that's going to be the best date for that fight."
Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO) has reportedly made his choice, but Bob Arum isn't going public yet.
A few things are going on here, just to brief on this:
If this does play out with Bradley getting the fight, it'll be step one to confirming that Richard Schaefer is a better fortune teller than Bob Arum.
So let's say it's down to Cotto or Tim Bradley: Which fight do you want to see more?
0 recs | 48 comments
Its sickening that Cotto is even being considered. I think Bradley is an okay fight though, Pac should beat him easily enough but he might give him a but of trouble. He’s no worse than Floyd against Ortiz, probably better.
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
voted Bradley
The more I’ve thought about that fight the last couple of days, the more I’ve come around. I’m still fine with a Pacquiao-Cotto rematch, but I want to see what Tim Bradley has at this level. He’s ready for it, as ready as he’ll ever be.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
How come though? Do you really want to see Pacquaio beat Cotto again? You obviously no more about boxing than I do, whats your reasoning?
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
I’ve always been a bit uneasy with the first Pacquiao-Cotto fight. Cotto was so badly prepared for that fight, and didn’t have a real trainer. Joe Santiago is no boxing trainer and had zero answers or even suggestions for Cotto when things got rough. I think Pedro Diaz could better prepare Cotto for Manny, and Manny has legitimately lost a step since 2009, too. I think there’s still some intrigue in that fight. Also, I just really like both guys. That does play a part in my tolerance for the rematch.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
Yeah I really like both guys too but thats more why I don’t wanna see the fight, I don’t want Cotto to get beat like that again. I hope you are right if the rematch does happen.
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
But Cotto still is a perfect match-up for Pac
Cotto being a lefty fighting as orthodox he has trouble with southpaws and his right hand is mediocre.
He has trouble seeing the left cross.
Also Pac is much much faster then Cotto all while Cotto isn’t the most durable fighter out there.
Also he hates pressure = perfect match up for Pac
Mohammedini Hussein - January 16, 2012
But...but..
…Manny insisted it be Mayweather!
erod - January 16, 2012
maybe November!
Maybe November.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
Fingers crossed eh?
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
By the way Scott, just out of curiosity do you get paid for this or is it more of a hobby?
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
I’m paid. If this were just a hobby I’d be mentally ill.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
While we’re on the subject though, is this your job or do you work at something else as well? Because I’ve always thought that you pay so much attention to this site that you probably don’t have another job, unless it’s something you do at home as well.
Apprentice - January 16, 2012
What with the economy and the job market being so excellent, this is it for me these days. Once I got to that point I decided to amp it up last year and make it worth my time by investing greater effort, and worth more of anyone else’s time. I definitely do not make The Big Bucks, but here I am with my high-speed internet and my absurd cable package, so, you know, things could be a lot worse.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
Well, you’ve rescued lots of people (me, actually, which is all that matters to me) from a very dark and long limbo. The way Homer describes Hades.
DrRck - January 16, 2012
Rec'd because I've always wondered this and I'm glad someone else asked
Your writing single-handedly turned me into a boxing fan
Tedd Welch - January 17, 2012
Well, that’s really good for us. You take a lot of care of this site, and it shows.
Apprentice - January 17, 2012
+1
BoxAnne - January 19, 2012
I wish I got paid for my mental illness. Maybe I do, actually.
DrRck - January 16, 2012
I’m glad you asked that. I’ve always wanted to know and, for some reason that right now escapes me, I was afraid to ask. haha
Apprentice - January 16, 2012
What if he’d said “no.” Too scary.
BoxAnne - January 16, 2012
lol! maybe
Apprentice - January 16, 2012
Haha I’m glad to hear that. This is easily the best boxing site around, in my opinion anyway.
MattyEdgeworth - January 16, 2012
The well deserved Pacquiao backlash has finally started, and not before time. Bob Arum clearly doesn’t want a Mayweather fight for Pacquiao, and Pacquiao’s refusal to speak out suggests he doesn’t fancy it in the slightest himself.
sheikybaby - January 16, 2012
I went Cotto
Because I Really want a Floyd Manny fight. And I think Bradley has a much better chance of ruining that
Sweet science - January 16, 2012
#NoToTimothyBradley please. It worked once before
Lamont deserves a huge payday, and it’ll be a cracker
battle axe of doom - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Timothy Bradley beat Lamont Peterson. Peterson doesn’t deserve a huge payday any more than Bradley does.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
I voted Cotto
But frankly neither overly intrigues me. I admit I’m biased toward Cotto because he has always been a personal favorite of mine. Bradley just annoys me because he ducked Khan, and then had a crap fight against Casamayor. But honestly it’s not a big deal to me either way.
Kory Kitchen - January 16, 2012
"...and then had a crap fight against Casamayor"
Sorry, but what more could Bradley have done in that fight? Casamayor was not throwing and just shelling up. He was the reason alone it was such a bad fight.
APG1 - January 16, 2012
He could have not fought Casamayor. It was a bullshit fight before they ever got into the ring, for every possible reason. If he’d taken a tune-up against someone who even wanted to be there I’d have been OK. Casamayor is, to be honest, a genuinely bad fighter at this point. His heart’s not in it and all his talent has faded.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
I like either fight actually. I’m just curious as to what weight a Cotto fight happens at. Anyone know?
RRod806 - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app
It would be at 147. Pacquiao won’t go up.
bachwards - January 16, 2012
Pac-Bradley is an okay fight. Probably won’t be the most thrilling thing in the world but Bradley is a legitimate opponent.
SilverLaker - January 16, 2012
Bradley has been entertaining when in against guys who fight — Peterson and Holt, particularly.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
I voted for Bradley, maybe because of rerun fatigue, but in fact I’d also be happy with Cotto. I’d like to see if he turns up any differently now, by which I mean the psychobabble stuff about conquering personal demons etc.
DrRck - January 16, 2012
Voted for Bradley but mostly because I’m really interested in a Canelo/Cotto or Mayweather/Cotto.
Apprentice - January 16, 2012
bradley
I’m all for Bradley. I was thinking maybe build this fight up but forget all that. If he gets by bradley and its Floyd in Nov. 2012 may very well be Pac’s last year in the ring! Against 2 undefeated fighters! That’s ho its done Son!
DiE_HARDFER - January 16, 2012 via mobile
I voted neither out of protest. Any fight besides Mayweather is bullshit at this point. Righteous indignation!!
Sammlung - January 16, 2012
That’s exactly why that option was included — I wanted to see how many people just reject the idea of any other fight.
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
I agree that anything besides Mayweather is garbage, but I would be lying if I said I would have no interest in who Pacquiao fights. They’re still hugely important, and figure to be good fights nevertheless. I hate it’s not Mayweather, but I’m honestly going to watch regardless.
Kory Kitchen - January 16, 2012
I voted neither because any fight involving the words Pac or May just irritates me.
BoxAnne - January 16, 2012
Not so sure I’d watch Pac vs May, too irritated by the 2-3 yr. tease. They can both go F themselves, no matter who they’re fighting.
BoxAnne - January 16, 2012
I’m sailing on your boat.
DrRck - January 16, 2012
Cotto?
Only to Arum is Cotto deserving of another shot at Manny. He was thoroughly, unarguably drubbed in their fight and does not earn another shot for a victory over semi-dead Margarito. If Arum makes this fight, he destroys Manny’s credibility as a guy that wants a challenge.
Bradley is acceptable, but it would seem that the Mayweather vs. Manny saga is bringing everything that sucks about boxing to the forefront.
younggunzvt - January 16, 2012
Went Cotto, loved the first fight and want to see it now its more even between the two.
Mayweather was never a serious option, so not sure why everyone is so pissed about it not happening.
Shitali Klitschko - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Because it dominated boxing news for another week. In the end, many now feel as though it’s nothing but a bunch of blowhards trying to make themselves look good. But you can’t ignore it, since both of them matter so much. So there it is, in your face, a bunch of bullshit. Why wouldn’t people be annoyed?
Scott Christ - January 16, 2012
But its the same old story we’ve heard a hundred times before.
Boy cries wolf scenario.
The “Pac/Floyd are in negotiations” story comes around so often now that IDK how anyone takes it seriously.
Shitali Klitschko - January 17, 2012 via mobile
Bradley
He was the best 140 pounder in the world. He was tested there and remained undefeated.
If he wants welterweight money…..let him take his shot. Ortiz moved up, took on (overrated) Berto and earned his best payday with Floyd after all but but crapping out at 140. So why not let the real junior welterweight champ take his chances at a bigger and better challenge.
If Manny gets heatbutted, he already seen how real champions react, so he’ll know what to do.
pakinpower - January 17, 2012
Schaefer, last week
http://www.badlefthook.com/2012/1/13/2704411/manny-pacquiao-next-fight-timothy-bradley-richard-schaefer-prediction-cotto-chavez-marquez-peterson#comments
In Rainbows - January 17, 2012
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