Pacquiao picks next opponent

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

FOLLOWING another botched negotiation with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao has already picked an alternative opponent for his next ring appearance on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The 33-year-old congressman has picked Timothy Bradley over Lamont Peterson and a fourth fight with Mexican archrival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

"From our end, the fight is done," Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz told the ESPN website. "I just got off the phone with (Top Rank's) Bob Arum and Manny, so we're done. I don't assume there will be a problem from the Bradley side. We came to terms with Top Rank on the fight and Manny has approved everything. This morning I had a number of conversations with Bob negotiating the June 9 fight and I relayed everything to Manny."

Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao’s priority in his list of opponents, is facing another fighter that was being considered as a possible opponent, Miguel Cotto, on May 5.

Despite being without a nod yet from Bradley’s camp, Top Rank president Todd duBoef is confident that everything will push through as planned.

“We are going to be having further conversations with Bradley and his management early this week and hopefully finalize the deal," said duBoef. "But the truth is, my (promotional) agreement with Bradley lays out certain parameters for a Pacquiao fight, so there is a framework already."

Pacquiao is 54-3-2 with 38 knockouts, while the 28-year-old Bradley is unbeaten with 28-0 and 12 knockouts.