Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Looming Rematch Unpopular with Fight Fans

Fernando Beltran, the Mexican promoter of Juan Manuel Marquez, is hoping Manny Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum will eventually choose the Mexican counterpuncher for the eight-division world champ's ring return scheduled for Nov. 10.

“If Pacquiao wants to prove that he is still in the highest level, he needs to fight Marquez,” Beltran said via Philboxing com.

Arum flew to Manila early this week to personally submit to Pacquiao a short list of three possible opponents for his next fight. 

The list reportedly contains the names of Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto. It was reported earlier that Floyd Mayweather's name was not included in the list.

Arum isn't expected to officially disclose Pacquiao's next foe until he gets back to the U.S. to finalize the fight contract with the chosen one.

But sources in Manila say Pacquiao will most likely choose Bradley for a rematch. 

"I think it’s Bradley," said Pacquiao's lawyer Franklin Gacal, via Philstar.com. “There’s a score to settle with Bradley,” he added.

But critics say a rematch with Bradley would do nothing to advance Pacquiao's competitiveness in the sport. Fight fans don't see a need for the looming Pacquiao-Bradley rematch.

Everyone knows Pacquiao won by a mile over Bradley in their June 9 encounter in Las Vegas, but the decision from the judges is usually final.

Arum has a tremendous influence over Pacquiao's decision on his choice of opponents and it won't surprise anyone if Pacquiao chooses Bradley because Arum wants a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch.

A Pacquiao-Bradley rematch will likely fit Arum's short- to medium-term business plan as Pacquiao, his No. 1 cash cow, is slowly fading with his Bible crusade which is seemingly mixed with political undertones.

Fight fans, however, would rather watch Pacquiao with Marquez up in the ring for the fourth time than waste their money on a Bradley rematch.

The Pacquiao vs. Marquez trilogy bout held last year at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas did 1.3 million PPV buys. The Pacquiao vs. Bradley match held at the same venue on June 9 made just a little over 900,000 buys.

It seems Arum won't mind getting less with a Pacquiao vs. Bradley rematch as long as he gets his business plan in line in the next three to five years.