Manny Pacquiao could be setting up a triology for his swan song in boxing in 2016.
With Pacquiao set to reveal his final opponent on Friday night from Puerto Rico on a truTV broadcast featuring rising Puerto Rican boxing star, Felix Verdejo, rumors are swirling that it looks like it could be Timothy Bradley.
According to the LA Times, Promoter Bob Arum confirmed that Pacquiaos bout will be held on April 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Bradley, the WBO welterweight champion, comes off an impressive ninth-round stoppage of Brandon Rios on Nov. 7 in Las Vegas. It was first his first bout with his new trainer Teddy Atlas.
Bradleys wife and manager, Monica Bradley, said the discussions have been ongoing with Top Rank President Todd duBoef, but nothing’s been confirmed as of yet.
A lot can change in the next three days, but Todd and I have developed a good relationship. I like the way we do business, Monica Bradley said.
Bradley won a highly disputed 2012 split decision over Pacquiao and then was defeated by unanimous decision in their April 2014 rematch.
Tims very excited more about this one than either of the others before, Monica Bradley said. With a new trainer, itll be a whole different Tim Bradley. Teddy has done so much for Tim people might think theyve seen the best Tim Bradley. They havent yet.
Pacquiao (57-6-2), who turns 37 on Dec. 17, hasnt fought since reaggravating a shoulder injury in his May 2 unanimous-decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquiao has brought up the idea of fighting Mayweather again, but the undefeated champion retired in September and has not said anything in response. There have also been discussions about Pacquiao facing rising star Terence Crawford or former 140-pound champion, Amir Khan, but none of those talks involved negotiations around the purse, which the talks with Bradley have included.
