Report: Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent is Timothy Bradley, trilogy completed April 2016
While no official word has been heard from Manny Pacquiao or the his camp, a report is stating that the Filipino has already selected his next opponent set for April next year. The apparent choice is American Timothy Bradley, whom Pacquiao has fought twice in recent years, and the fight will set up a trilogy between the two welterweight rivals.
According to a report from Andrew L. John of The Desert Sun, two sources with connection to Pacquiao have stated on Monday that the Filipino will select Bradley because of his familiarity with the American boxer.
Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 knockouts) and Bradley (33-1-1, 18 knockouts) slugged it out on top of the squared ring on June 9, 2012 when Bradley won via a controversial 12-round split decision via scores of 115-113 for Bradley and 115-113 for Pacquiao; and on April 12, 2014 when Pacquiao returned the favour with a 12-round unanimous decision victory with scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 116-112, all for Pacquiao.
Both fights were for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May 2 in the “Fight of the Century” where he lost the welterweight belt.
If the 36-year-old Pacquiao picks the 32-year old Bradley, it means that British boxer Amir Khan (31-3-0, 19 knockouts) will be snubbed yet again by a big name opponent.
The 29-year-old Khan lobbied multiple times for a fight with Mayweather Jr. but was never selected by the undefeated American, who retired from the sport last September. According to reports, Khan will likely face compatriot Kell Brook should Pacquiao choose to reject the British pro.
Another fighter who will look for other options if Pacquiao picks Bradley is 28-year-old American Terence Crawford (27-0-0, 19 knockouts), a rising star in the super lightweight division and the current title-holder of the WBO crown in the weight class.
Both Bradley and Crawford are fighters under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions, which also handles Pacquiao fights. Khan is fighting under boxing promoter Al Haymon, the rival of Arum.
Pacquiao's next fight is tentatively scheduled on April 9, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States.
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