FOLLOWING the recent triumph of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision over Brandon Rios, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum announced that the Pacman’s next bout will be staged in Las Vegas on April 12 and his opponent will be one of the two fighters who beat him last year.
It will be either a rematch with the undefeated Timothy Bradley, who won by a controversial split decision, or a fifth encounter with Mexican veteran Juan Manuel Marquez, who knocked Pacquiao out cold in the sixth round last December.
If Pacquiao wins his next match, Arum said this could possibly lead to a much-awaited face-off with Floyd “The Money” Mayweather Jr. Possibly.
That is if Pacquiao gets past Mayweather’s last two opponents, Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez, whom he both toppled to stay undefeated.
That is Mayweather’s condition unless he’s bluffing again.
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But here’s the situation right now. Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, handler of Marquez, claims that he is in the final stages of negotiations for a rematch between Marquez and Bradley, who won over the Mexican via split decision last month.
Like Pacquiao, Bradley is also under Arum’s Top Rank Promotions.
The plan, if negotiations push through, is to hold the fight between Marquez and Bradley middle of next year in Las Vegas.
“We are negotiating for a rematch between Marquez and Bradley. We have always pursued what Marquez wants because of his devotion, professionalism and loyalty,” said Beltran.
“I try to look for the best opportunities for him, but he wants revenge and that’s the fight we’re looking for. We have made great progress in the negotiations.”
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Beltran said he has talked with Bradley’s promoter Bob Arum.
“We are trying to make this fight happen. The fight is not complicated to make. I have great optimism it will be achieved and it could happen either in March or in July,” Beltran told Boxing Scene.Com.
If it does, what will happen to the fight promised to Pacquiao by Arum? Whether Pacquiao is fighting Bradley or Marquez in April, the Bradley-Marquez rematch for sure will not push through middle of next year.