Pacquiao vs Mayweather Remains Distant as Bradley Bout Looms

The prospect of a showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather remains distant after the Filipino fighter announced on Tuesday that his next fight will be to defend his WBO welterweight title against Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand on 9 June.

The Filipino, who has not been beaten for seven years, also used the announcement to denounce the the embarrassing post-fight brawl between British heavyweights David Haye and Dereck Chisora over the weekend.

"That is why I announced at the press conference that I need to train at least 10 weeks so I can study his style," explained Pacquiao, who said he will not underestimate the undefeated Bradley. "His style is not really familiar to me but I am going to watch it and study it."

But Bradley, who has held a version of the light-welterweight title since defeating Junior Witter in Nottingham in 2008, says he is relishing facing Pacquiao in Las Vegas this summer.

Like us on Facebook   

"You cannot just go head first into Manny Pacquiao. Most of the guys he's faced just go straight forward and nothing else," said Bradley. "So, that is not my style of fighting. When I do let my hands go you will see lots of firepower. I am not laying down for anyone. I am not here for a paycheck. I'm not doing this for fun. I'm doing this to win and at the end of the night I am going to be great."

The two fighters also commented on the post-fight brawl in Munich on Saturday night. Haye and Chisora clashed after Chisora's defeat by defending WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in the Olympiahalle on Saturday.

"Aside from boxing in the ring, aside from fighting in the ring, outside the ring we need to love each other," said Pacquiao. While Bradley condemned the incident as an embarrassment for the sport.

"They say it's good ratings, but I'm not about that," said Bradley. "I'm about treating guys with respect, being humble, know what you are capable of doing but treating people with respect. Treating guys like it is supposed to be."

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail:
To contact the editor, e-mail: