Manny Pacquiao News: Timothy Bradley Confirms Ongoing Negotiations For Third Fight With 'Pacman'
Reigning WBO world welterweight champion Timothy Bradley has confirmed that negotiations for a rubber match against eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is in the works.
Right after his early November fight against Brandon Rios, "Desert Storm" has been added to the shortlist of "Pacman's" next possible opponent for his supposed retirement fight on April 9th of the coming year. Bradley joins the list, along with Pacquiao's former sparring partner Amir Khan and undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford.
In a previous report by Boxingscene, Bradley says he is considering taking a fight against Miguel Cotto, instead of a third fight with Pacquiao. According to the 147-pound champion, facing Cotto would be "something new".
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"I've faced Pacquiao twice and if I do it a third time it would be a fight of reckoning if anything else," Bradley said in the report. "It's the only way I could describe it."
The 32-year-old professional prizefighter, however, also said that he and his camp have not closed their doors on a possible third fight against the Filipino boxing icon. Speaking to Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN News (which was later reported by Boxingscene), Bradley confirmed that there are ongoing negotiations to make the third fight happen.
"We're still negotiating. I would love to (fight Pacquiao), but right now, we're still negotiating," Bradley said, according to ABS-CBN News. "We'll know something real soon, if we'll do it or not."
Bradley and Pacquiao first fought in June 2012, where the former emerged victorious via split decision. It was a fight that was marred by controversy, as many from the audience, whether it were casual spectators, hardcore fans, or media members, did not agree with the judges' decision. Pacquiao was able to avenge the said loss by winning a unanimous decision verdict in their rematch in April 2014.
Bradley recently switched trainers, from Joel Diaz to veteran trainer Teddy Atlas. Given his new mentor, Bradley feels they actually have better tools against Pacquiao this time around.
"With my new trainer, I feel that maybe I'll be more prepared for what Manny brings, and we'll come with a really good game plan to try to win the fight," Bradley told the Philippine news outlet.
