3rd fight vs Pacquiao no lose situation for Bradley, says Arum
Timothy Bradley Jr., takes questions during a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016. Bradley is scheduled to face Manny Pacquiao on April 9 in Las Vegas for Bradley’s WBO welterweight boxing title.(AP Photo/Nick Ut)
BEVERLY HILLS, Los Angeles—For promoter Bob Arum, Timothy Bradley is in a no-lose situation in his third fight against Manny Pacquiao on April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“If he loses, life goes on. It’s not the end of the world,” said Arum. “But if he wins, it will enhance his legacy and boost his marketability.”
Unlike Pacquiao, who wants to close a sterling ring career spanning 21 years in style.
While he doesn’t want Pacquiao to retire just as yet, with the Filipino icon having a live contract with his Top Rank Promotions up to the end of 2016, which will extend to 2017 because of the injury Pacquiao sustained in a losing effort against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May 2, Arum said he’d support Pacquiao in whatever path he’d choose to take. Be it in politics or in boxing.
“If he retires, he retires,” said Arum. “In boxing, retirement isn’t cast in stone. That’s why I don’t want to sell it (Pacquiao-Bradley III) as his farewell fight.
“Maybe he will (comeback), maybe he will not,” said Arum, noting that there are still big fights looming in the horizon.
“He can fight (Terence) Crawford, and who knows what Mayweather (who has retired) can do. I don’t know, I haven’t talk to Floyd.”
Aware that the first two fights didn’t do exactly well by Pacquiao’s standards, Arum has loaded the undercards with Hispanic fighters, to attract the big Latino crowd.
In addition, ticket prices were slashed, ranging from $150, $250, $400, $600, $800 and $1200 at ringside. They will be available on Friday.
If the pre-sell will be the gauge, however, Arum guarantees the showdown for Bradley’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown to be a sellout.
After all, Arum believes Pacquiao-Bradley III will be a great fight and is hoping that it will eventually lure Floyd to come out of retirement and grant Pacquiao a rematch.
