Is a Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley rematch on its way? (Photo: Naoki Fukuda)
By Chris Robinson
As the weeks pass by, the boxing world continues to wait for the official confirmation of Manny Pacquiao’s next ring foe.
Coming off of a solid performance this past November that saw him win convincingly against Brandon Rios over 12 rounds, Pacquiao is slated for an April return to the ring in Las Vegas.
Despite some confusion regarding a potential rematch with Tim Bradley, there still is a realistic chance that Pacquiao could end up facing the Palm Springs star again in an effort to erase the controversial split-decision loss he suffered against him in June of 2012.
For the past weeks I’ve gathered some thoughts from various boxing minds on the prospect of Pacquiao vs. Bradley II. Read below to see what everyone is saying.
“That’s a tough fight and that’s the fight I’d like to see. Pacquiao would have to do the same thing he did in the first fight. Bradley would have to make some adjustments because he never really got to Pacquiao in the first fight like he wanted to.” – Four division world champion Roy Jones Jr.
“I would stick with Pacquiao. He’s just stronger, faster, and the first fight wasn’t too convincing for the fight to go on Bradley’s side. I think that will play a role for Pacquiao and make him come in more aggressive where he wants to make a statement and knock him out.” – Undefeated welterweight contender Jessie Vargas
“Pacquiao might pull that off. I’m just saying myself from the first fight, it depends on what you thought about it. I just see a different fight.” – Outspoken trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
“I think it would a good fight for all the fans. Boxing always needs another warrior in there and Tim Bradley, no matter what he says, he goes in and he fights his ass off. I think the second time around it will be a bigger, wider margin [for Bradley].” – Junior lightweight contender Diego Magdaleno
“To get that fight [Bradley] might have to extend his contract with Top Rank. Then you see what happens. Maybe he wins legitimately or decisively the next time out. How does that change the landscape? How big would that possibly make a fight with Mayweather and would that put pressure on both promoters to make an agreement for that fight?” – Former HBO analyst Larry Merchant
“You know what? I don’t think much of Bradley as a puncher, but Bradley’s going to do everything he can to win. But Bradley knows he can’t keep Pacquiao off of him. This time around, Pacquiao might hurt Bradley. If Pacquiao gets in shape like Pacquiao can get in, not only will he walk right through Bradley, he’s liable to ruin Bradley.” – Former lightweight champion Nate Campbell
“That’s a very interesting fight. Like I tell people, Bradley is one of the hardest-fighting people in boxing. He throws 90-million punches; he’s going to be on you for three minutes and 12 rounds. If you fight Tim, you’re going to come to fight. He’s a tough dude; he can box. Listen, I like the guy.” – Former two-division champion Zab Judah
“He can fight Bradley; that’s a good fight for him. Timothy Bradley is a good fight for him. I think he’s going to give Pacquiao problems anyways. The thing of it is, hey, it’s going to be a good fight. One way or the other it’s still a good fight.” – The always unabashed Roger Mayweather, former two-division world champion and current day trainer
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com