Bradley vacates WBO welterweight title ahead of Pacquiao bout

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)

Timothy Bradley has formally vacated his WBO welterweight title after choosing to fight Manny Pacquiao for the third time instead of mandatory challenger Sadam Ali.

Ali was due for a title shot against Bradley, who explained his decision to forfeit his belt.

“As you know, I will be fighting Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To accept this fight invariably means I cannot comply my mandatory obligation and must forgo the mandatory (challenge) against Sadam Ali, as ordered by the WBO,” Bradley wrote in a letter to WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel as posted on BoxingScene.com.

“This is a difficult decision, but one I have to make to give fans the best fights as well as allow myself the toughest and biggest fights possible from both a competitive and financial perspective.”

Bradley and Pacquiao have a long history with the WBO welterweight belt. It was the same title Bradley won in a highly-disputed split decision win over Pacquiao in 2012 and the one the Filipino boxing legend regained in a rematch two years later.

Pacquiao, then yielded the title to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May last year. Bradley won the interim WBO belt when he outpointed Jessie Vargas last June and was later upgraded to a full championship after Mayweather retired in September.

Without a title at stake in April, the WBO plans to make a special award for the winner.

“Do know that we wholly understand your decision and command you for always giving fans the best fights possible and doing what is best for your career at this important juncture,” Valcarcel said in a reply to Bradley’s letter.

“Finally, I am pleased to inform you that we are preparing a special recognition for the Pacquiao vs Bradley III winner—two remarkable fighters and worthy ambassadors to the WBO.”