Manny Pacquiao Turns Timothy Bradley into an Overnight Sports Celebrity

Timothy Bradley has remained unpopular despite his perfect win record in 29 professional fights, but his popularity as a boxer soared to an unprecedented level right after signing up for a fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

The first leg of the press tour to hype their upcoming fight scheduled for June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, marked Bradley's first moment as a boxing celebrity alongside Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who are considered today's top sports celebrities.

The press tour to promote the fight ends today in New York, and with the level of publicity Bradley is getting from media, there is no doubt the young unbeaten champion from Palm Springs will henceforth be recognized for his unblemished record.

Boxing insiders say Bradley's former handlers may have failed in some aspects in the use of media to promote Bradley as a popular boxer on account of his perfect professional boxing record.

Bradley's popularity began to soar after he signed up with Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions following his fallout with former promoters. 

It is common knowledge that popularity counts a lot in marketing the fight, specifically in terms of generating substantial pay-per-view buys which constitute the bulk of revenues of a boxing fight. Before joining Top Rank, Bradley was not a pay-per-view attraction.

The just-concluded Beverly Hills Hotel press conference to formally announce the upcoming fight has in fact introduced Bradley to the international boxing community, where he is virtually unknown.

But as Pacquiao's next opponent, Bradley's name will remain in the minds of the international audience as one of the many celebrities Pacquiao has helped gain stardom in the sport.

Top Rank Promotions owner Bob Arum, who is reportedly searching for an eventual replacement for the retiring Manny Pacquiao—who has been his "cash cow" for many years—said there will be non-stop action as Pacquiao and Bradley collide in June.

"Pacquiao vs. Bradley will be a fight fans fight," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. "Both will come to fight. I am sure the action will be nonstop."

The upcoming Pacquiao vs. Bradley fight will take place Saturday, June 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be produced and distributed live by HBO PPV, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT, and are priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400 and $200.