Philippines, 26 Feb 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:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • 125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 23 Feb 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 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.