We are now less than two weeks away from the upcoming trilogy bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, set to take place on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, is a heavy favorite to defeat Marquez, whom he fought to split-draw in May of 2004 and nipped via split-decision less than four years later.
While nothing past the Marquez fight is for certain, it seems extremely likely that undefeated junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley will be next in line for him. Bradley recently inked an exclusive deal with Top Rank Promotions and seems to be the most attractive opponent at the moment outside of Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is always one to march to the beat of his own drum and seems very unlikely to be facing Pacquiao anytime soon.
Arum got a close look at Bradley in December of 2009, as his fighter at the time, Anthony Peterson, unsuccessfully tried to wrestle away his WBO crown. It was an impressive performance from Bradley on all fronts, as he dropped Peterson in the 3rd round and seized the bout?s initiative, and it was then that Arum got a true interest in the Palm Springs, Calif.-fighter.
?I didn?t know much about Tim until the fight in Palm Springs against Lamont Peterson,? Arum said recently during a conference call to discuss Bradley?s fight against Joel Casamayor on the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard. ?I was captivated by Tim?s ability because Lamont Peterson is one hell of a fighter. The way he outclassed and beat a fighter like Peterson really caught my attention and then how he conducted himself in the press conferences I realized that he had a very pleasing personality and something that would sell very well once the public became aware of this fighter and what kind of person he was.? Advertisement
At the time Bradley was co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions, reason enough for Arum to keep his distance. It wasn?t until Bradley?s contract with them expired earlier this year that Arum made his move.
Related images: A look inside HBO’s first two 24/7 Pacquiao-Marquez episodes / Timothy Bradley signs with Top Rank plus bonus shots / Ultimate Pacquiao – a picture by picture look at the Filipino star’s career
?He really was somebody that was in our wheelhouse, but he was under contract with another promoter and we don?t interfere with fighters that are under promotional contract,? said Arum. ?Finally that contract expired, we contacted Cameron [Dunkin] and we started talking and eventually singed Tim. We believe that because Tim is who he is ? a great boxer and has a pleasing personality that we can make him a big star in the sport.?
And while it seems like a lock that we will be seeing Pacquiao-Bradley in or around May of next year, Arum is quick to shoot down such notions, at least for the moment.
?First as everybody understands, people don?t believe me but I have been saying it for years, Pacquiao?s next opponent is up to him,? Arum added. ?Do I make recommendations? Yes, that is my job as a promoter. I have never discussed with Manny an opponent after Marquez. Marquez is a very difficult opponent as we saw in their first two fights and Manny has his hands full with what I think is a new and improved Marquez who physically looks like a much bigger guy. When Manny fought him the first two times, Manny wasn?t knocking anybody out and now he has a whole string of knockouts.
?Obviously he is sitting down on his punches and is a very dangerous opponent. So until November 12th, I have no idea who Manny is going to fight and made that plain to Tim and Cameron that we have not discussed this with Manny and we?ll see. As far as Manny is concerned after this fight maybe four more fights, if he is successful, before he becomes the Governor of Sarangani Province and retires from boxing. There will be room, as long as Manny keeps winning, for these young fighters to test their skills against Manny Pacquiao.?
