WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley has a lot of intriguing options for his next fight, and his trainer Joel Diaz said his preference is a rematch with Manny Pacquiao.
In an online chat with mydesert.com on Thursday, Diaz said he wants to try and erase the controversy that surrounded Bradley?s June 9, 2012 victory over Pacquiao to claim the WBO belt. Bradley earned a split decision victory, but many fans and media members felt Pacquiao dominated the fight.
The backlash haunted both Diaz and Bradley. For Diaz, he wants to end the debate and take on Pacquiao.
?Honestly, after that fight, I was happy,? Diaz said. ?When the bell rang, whether they gave us the decision or not, he was a winner. He went 12 rounds with Manny Pacquiao, the most devastating puncher in the business, and he was clean. And he had a broken ankle and he didn?t run. He was in front of Manny Pacquiao all night.
?But a lot of people don?t see that.?
Pacquiao returns to the ring Nov. 23 to face Brandon Rios in China. Until after that fight, Bradley will likely not make a decision on his next fight.
Bradley was offered a fight against Pacquiao this fall for a reported $6 million. However, Bradley turned it down and fought Juan Manuel Marquez for $4.1 million. Marquez, who many feel is a future member of the boxing Hall of Fame, was coming off a spectacular knockout of Pacquiao. And Bradley wanted a shot at the 40-year-old Marquez before he retired.
One of the sticking points for Bradley to fight Pacquiao was holding the fight in Macau, China. Pacquiao wants to fight in China to avoid the high taxes he would have to pay in the U.S.
Bradley said he wasn?t comfortable with the terms to fight in China. However, Diaz said they?ve changed their tune and are willing to travel.
Diaz said the promoters have expressed interest in Bradley having a rematch with Ruslan Provodnikov, the WBO light welterweight champion. Bradley survived a brutal battle with Provodnikov where he sustained a concussion in the first round and appeared out on his feet three other times before going down in the final seconds of the fight. The Bradley-Provodnikov fight is a candidate for fight of the year honors.
