Manny Pacquiao to Fight Timothy Bradley on April 9

Rob BlanchetteSep 21, 2015

Manny Pacquiao's next opponent is a familiar one, as he will face Timothy Bradley for the third time in Las Vegas on April 9.

Continue for updates.

Pacquiao, Bradley Fight a Done Deal

Wednesday, Dec. 30

"It’s a done deal and it’s going to be a third fight against Timothy Bradley. We took a lot of consideration knowing Bradley has improved a lot as a fighter since the last time they’ve met in 2014," Arum told Josef T. Ramos of the Manila Times.

ESPN's Dan Rafael confirmed the fight will take place at the MGM in Las Vegas on April 9. Mike Coppinger of USA Today confirmed the report.

"Bradley is happy about it of course and that’s really a competitive fight for Manny [Pacquiao]. The report about Adrian Broner fighting Pacquiao is untrue" Arum said.

"People should not buy this fight because they believe it's Manny's last fight," Arum said, per Coppinger. "They should buy it if they believe with Bradley's improvement this is a really competitive fight."

Arum Comments on Pacquiao's Future

Wednesday, Dec. 30

"I'm not going to advertise it as his last fight," Arum said, per Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times. "He could change his mind, then everyone says I'm a huckster."

Arum mentioned November as a possibility for another Pacquiao fight, with Terence Crawford and Floyd Mayweather possible opponents, per Pugmire.

Pacquiao's Adviser Confirms Contacting Broner

Thursday, Dec. 24

"I wish Adrien [Broner] would not have made the comments he did to the media prematurely. But yes I did personally call him, spoke with him and we discussed the possibility of him facing Manny," confirmed Koncz, per Kim.

Broner also took to Instagram to address the possibility of fighting Pacquiao:

"I hear they want me to fight Pacquiao next," Broner said to FightHype.com on Dec. 21, courtesy of Chris Williams of BoxingNews24.com. "Koncz actually called me. We’re waiting to hear from him."

Pacquiao Delays Announcing Next Opponent

Friday, Dec. 11

"I was asked to tell you on Bob's behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet," Arum spokesman Fred Sternburg told ESPN.com on Thursday night, per Rafael.

Arum told Rafael on Dec. 7 that the next opponent for Pacquiao would be announced on Friday during truTV's boxing telecast.

Crawford and Mayweather Bouts Championed by Roach

Sunday, Nov. 15

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said he spoke with Arum and approved a potential fight against both Crawford and Floyd Mayweather, according to TV Azteca, via Miguel Rivera of Boxingscene.com. Roach added the final decision will ultimately be up to Pacquiao.

The legendary coach outlined the need for a Mayweather rematch on Nov. 4, telling Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times: "If Manny fights a good fighter, looks good, has no shoulder injury, I think Floyd Mayweather and him will go one more time. Too much money."

Pacquiao Doesn't Name Mayweather Among 4 Potential Opponents

Friday, Nov. 6

"We have Amir Khan, Danny Garcia, [Terence] Crawford or Timothy Bradley," Pacquiao told Emirates 24/7 (via Sky Sports). "But I don't know yet, a lot of names have been given to me by my promoter Bob Arum. We are yet to finalise anything," he added.

However, Pacquiao previously outlined his determination to meet Mayweather one more time, admitting he's "hoping to have a rematch," relayed by Allaam Ousman of Emirates 24/7 on Nov. 3.

Pacquiao vs. Alvarez Clash Disregarded by Arum

Wednesday, Oct. 21

The veteran promoter "doesn't like the idea" of his fighter taking on Canelo Alvarez, as relayed by Pugmire. The admission came despite Arum holding talks with counterpart Oscar De La Hoya over the potential bout.

Pacquiao Opts for Rematch Over Other Blockbusters

Pacquiao could have opted for a blockbuster fight with Crawford, Khan or Mayweather but opted for a familiar opponent instead.

While Bradley doesn't carry the same name value as Mayweather or Khan, he's a safe choice for Pacquiao in what could possibly be the final fight of his career.

If Pacquiao can earn a win over Bradley in the third installment of their series, he will end his illustrious career on a high note.