LAS VEGAS (AP). Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring on April 9, for the first time since his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr, and his opponent will be an old acquaintance.
Promoter Bob Arum reported that Pacquiao will fight Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It will be the third fight between both opponents.
It will also be the Filipino’s first lawsuit since losing a decision to Mayweather in the highest-grossing fight in boxing history. In that fight, Pacquiao hurt his shoulder again, and was ineffective against the speedy American, who won by unanimous failure.
Many considered that “Pacman” won the first fight against Bradley in 2012, but the judges gave the victory to the American. In the rematch, the Filipino exercised broad dominance and prevailed by decision.
Lee Samuels, a spokesman for promoter Top Rank, said a contract has not been signed for the “pay-per-view” fight on television. However, he affirmed that the two fighters reached an agreement on the general terms of the agreement and would sign it soon.
Pacquiao received a $ 2 million advance from a $ 20 million guaranteed purse, Samuels added.
This lawsuit will not have the promotion that Pacquiao’s previous one had. However, the Filipino had spoken that he would hold just one more fight before running for Senate in his native country. Currently, he is a deputy in the Philippines.
Bradley (33-1-1, with 13 knockouts), is coming off an impressive win over Brandon Rios last month in Las Vegas. Bradley signed a contract with the renowned coach Teddy Atlas before that contest, considered one of the best in his career.
Pacquiao (57-6-2, with 38 knockouts) underwent surgery to repair the rotator cuff in his right shoulder after losing to “Money” Mayweather. The injury was not revealed before the fight, but Pacquiao says he hurt himself in training and later during the fight.
Pacquiao returns against Bradley
