Pacquiao now not so keen on Bradley rematch

Manny Pacquiao AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

HOLLYWOOD—If the rematch happens, well and good. If it doesn’t so be it.

This was the new position taken by Manny Pacquiao, Tuesday, (Wednesday in Manila) on whether he’s going to invoke his rematch clause with Timothy Bradley, who was rewarded with a dubious split decision win by the judges in their battle for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Saturday.

The development came after he was informed that his promoter, Bob Arum, his fans, supporters and even local and foreign legislators have asked the Nevada State Athletic Commission to conduct and inquiry into the circumstances behind the bum decision that handed Pacquiao his first loss in the United States since bowing to Erik Morales in 2005.

“Well we have to listen to the people’s will,” Pacquiao told Manila-based sportswriters in Filipino at his room at the gated Palazzo residences here. “It’s necessary to get back their confidence in boxing.”

If ever, the rematch with Bradley will happen in Nov. 10, also at the MGM Grand.

While he’s eager to get back in the ring again with Bradley, whom he clearly defeated Saturday but was declared the winner by two of the three judges, Pacquiao said he’ll let Arum handle the pertinent matters regarding the rematch.

Pacquiao said it will depend on what the Bradley camp will demand.

“If it’s fair, then I’ll gladly fight him again.”

And if that time comes, Pacquiao said he’ll  make sure that the officials, including the referee, won’t be able to interfere with the outcome of the fight.

“I wouldn’t want them to get involved again,” said Pacquiao, who bared that Bradley didn’t hurt him a bit in their 12-round duel that lured over 14,000 fans.

“I was in total control (of the fight),” said Pacquiao. “Fact is, in the 10th round, I’ve been winking to the HBO people because I know Bradley can’t beat me anymore.”

Pacquiao’s schedule remains to be uncertain so far as he intends to spend quality time with his family, wife Jinkee and their four children, in the US.