Manny Pacquiao will meet Timothy Bradley on June 9. (Photos by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
RingTV.com reports that terms have been agreed to for a June 9 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, which is the fight that has been expected since Miguel Cotto chose to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 5 instead of facing Pacquiao.
Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO) and Bradley (28-0, 12 KO) will meet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO pay-per-view. It's a fresh and very credible matchup for the Filipino icon, as the 28-year-old Bradley is considered the top 140-pound fighter in the world, and a crafty, smart guy who knows his way around the ring. This is no limited brawler or fighter tailor-made for Manny Pacquiao. This is a tough opponent.
Top Rank likely is going to this fight before they'd have preferred to, but options were limited with Cotto moving on to the Mayweather pastures. Top Rank signed Bradley last year, and put his first fight with the company on the Pacquiao vs Marquez undercard in November. It wasn't much of a fight, as Bradley faced a washed-up version of former lightweight champ Joel Casamayor, but Bradley won without much trouble at all.
In theory, Top Rank would have liked to build Bradley's name value a bit more, with at least one more fight. But he's either beaten everyone to beat at 140 or the guys he hasn't (such as Amir Khan) aren't exactly in a great position right now.
Without Cotto, and with his status at 140 pounds secure thanks to his own successes and the failures of others, there was no more time to wait. It's Timothy Bradley's turn to take a crack at Manny Pacquiao.
0 recs | 42 comments
I know the rafters won’t be shaking in anticipation for this one, but I see it as a hell of a lot more valid a matchup than Pacquiao-Margarito (or Pacquiao-Mosley, albeit with 20/20 vision). Definite chance of this one being sneakily good.
El Destruyo - February 6, 2012
I love this fight. I think Bradley’s as good a fight as there is out there — sure he got it by process of elimination, but he’s definitely not being put here because he sells tickets or pay-per-views. Tim Bradley is being put here because he wins fights.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
agreed
it might not sell a million ppvs, but it’s an interesting competitive matchup
nickfoxx - February 6, 2012
If they can promote it properly it could do a million. I don’t know exactly how you convince people Tim Bradley’s a threat, but I think it’s very doable.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
they don't expect more than 1.1
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
And I don’t think you need 20-20 vision to say the Mosley matchup sucked. Nobody liked it when it was signed and our staff picked almost unanimously for Pacquiao to demolish Mosley.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
Well, I did at the time. I knew it wasn’t going to be too competitive, but like many, I fooled myself into expecting a pure action fight at least.
Man, I’m angry again just thinking about that fight.
El Destruyo - February 6, 2012
This is going to be a welterweight (147 lb) fight, right?
theninthlayer - February 6, 2012
yes
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
Great fight...
Will back Bradley if odds are as wide as they usually are. I give him much more of a chance than what Cotto has against Mayweather.
Dafs - February 6, 2012
Agreed. I’m king of expecting -450ish for Pacquiao on this one.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
at most
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
yeah I hope they are pretty wide, but I think the bookmakers will recognize Bradley’s got a real shot in this fight.
Sammlung - February 6, 2012
Much More of a Chance than Cotto.
It’s a dangerous fight for Pacquiao, frankly.
rantcatrat - February 6, 2012
maybe just me, but I prefer the 2 fights we ARE getting instead of the 1 we are NOT getting
KidSleez - February 6, 2012 via Android app
I prefer Mayweather-Pacquiao to either, but I have no problem with the fights we’re getting. Mayweather’s going up in weight to fight Cotto, which is ballsy, and Pacquiao’s fighting a guy who ain’t gonna be easy, which is ballsy.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
I guess I grew tired of the charade long before others & resigned myself to the fact that the floyd/pac fight wasn’t happening. so now I don’t care & I do like the risks involved for each guy in their separate respective bouts
KidSleez - February 6, 2012 via Android app
+1
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
Possible scenario....
Since Floyd is going up in weight against Cotto? Do you think it is possible for Floyd to meet Sergio Martinez in 2013, or maybe after Sergio can land a fight against Canelo or any other decent name fighter not named JCCjr?
Clove_art - February 6, 2012
It’s certainly possible, but highly unlikely.
Sammlung - February 6, 2012
I think it’s possible that Floyd faces Sergio next year if he does really well against Cotto. Martinez would be coming down in weight to do it, too. It’s not unfair or anything. Not likely, but maybe not as unlikely as some think.
Scott Christ - February 6, 2012
Plus Martnez will be older.
I think it’s possible
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
Agree.
DrRck - February 6, 2012
Gonna save up some cash to see this one in person. Tim Bradley’s my favorite fighter and I want to be there to support him. I think he’s got a great shot at winning this fight!
theninthlayer - February 6, 2012
The Only Competitive fight for Pacman is Floyd,JMM or Sergio Martinez.
rgb - February 6, 2012
This will be competitive, I can assure you that.
Dafs - February 6, 2012
I completely agree
This fight will be competitive. Bradley has a lot of dog in him. He’ll come to win and lay it on the line. Of course, there is a chance Bradley makes this fight ugly; it may to his advantage to do so.
rantcatrat - February 6, 2012
Couldn’t disagree more, Bradley will be overwhelmed here, he isn’t ready for this at all.
Shitali Klitschko - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Yes it will.
People shouldn’t write off Bradley just because his name isn’t as big as the other mainstream fighters.
tylerj19 - February 7, 2012 via Android app
Martinez can’t come down to147 and Manny won’t go up above 147.
Clove_art - February 6, 2012
Correct
No way Martinez fights at welter…or Manny above.
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
So, that temporary stadium…
Bajingo - February 6, 2012
I think this is great news. A good “new” fighter against Pacquiao.
DrRck - February 6, 2012
What are the odds . . .
that Bradley butts Manny? Has Vegas opened a line on this?
ShrinkRap - February 6, 2012
no, but it will be an over/under in the BLH weekly pick em game
KidSleez - February 6, 2012 via Android app
That’s what I’m talking about. Love it.
ShrinkRap - February 6, 2012
lol. I hope thats true
I will put a tripple on it
TheBod - February 6, 2012
-10000
Sammlung - February 6, 2012
Manny is f*cked if a headbutt opens a cut
cause Manny is afraid of teh blood. It makes him weak.
erod - February 6, 2012
He will go batshit
Watch Pacquaio vs Agapito Sanchez
pakinpower - February 7, 2012
That would be among the worst conceivable events, at least for me.
DrRck - February 6, 2012
On my birthday, too. I’d prefer the first wish I mentioned, though.
DrRck - February 6, 2012
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