Philippines, 02 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Who?s afraid of Tim Bradley, world champ?


PhilBoxing.com




Who? Definitely not Manny Pacquiao, our fearless, firebreathing national treasure of a world boxing superhero.

The whole truth about it is that Tim Bradley, whom Pacquiao had handpicked for his next opponent, did not want this third meeting with the eight-division world title winner from General Santos City.

Bradley since two months back had been pointing in the direction of Omaha, Nebraska where the unbeaten world light welterweight champion, deemed to be Pacquiao worthiest next opponent, lives.

**

Terence Crawford, 27-0, 19 KOs, was an outstanding choice by veteran promoter Bob Arum for Pacquiao?s next bout, scheduled in Las Vegas on April 9.

The bout had been tagged (by Arum) as Pacquiao?s final fight before he calls it a career.

Pacquiao, tabbed as a shoo-in in the forthcoming Philippine senatorial race, can not box and function as senator at the same time, according to Arum.

**

While it took Pacquiao quite a time?he had to be given an ultimatum by Arum?to name his final foe, there grew what amounted to a unanimous clamour around the world boxing community for Pacquiao to pick the worthiest opponent to cap a fantastic career.

There predictably came an overwhelming clamor for a Pacquiao-Crawford fight.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao would announce that he would love to end his career with a significant win.

**

Sorry, but there was an obvious jumble in the boxing jargon deep in Pacquiao?s mind that helped make this guy who still has to score a legit win over him after two encounters (Pacquiao got cheated by the judges in the first fight) to suddenly loom larger than life.

Bradley holds the WBO welterweight champ, which used to belong to Pacquiao until he lost it to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May.
That crown, up for grabs come April 9 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, should help sell Pacquiao?s final fight.

**

Of course, Pacquiao himself knows the WBO title alone would be a limp lure to attract a big pay-per-view market.

Truth is that there had started a quiet campaign to keep away from Pacquiao-Bradley Part 3.

While many fans had rated a Pacquiao-Crawford alarming (a sure thrill), the April 9 farewell party for Pacquiao got labeled as annoying in advance.

**

No, Pacquiao, contrary to mounting taunts, is not deathly afraid to face Crawford.

It just so happens Pacquiao has inexplicably found a retooled Bradley a bigger, worthier final challenge.

Pacquiao said: ?When Bradley took in a new trainer (Teddy Atlas), he became a bit more aggressive. If he maintains that fighting style, the fans will be in for a treat. I like that.?

Pray that remaining spectators will find it to their liking, too.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.