If No Mayweather, Housemate Tim Bradley Could Be Next Pacquiao Foe

On the eve of Manny Pacquiao's birthday bash, trainer Freddie Roach hinted at a possible mid-year fight between Manny Pacquaio and fellow Top Rank fighter Timothy Bradley.

After Pacquiao's trilogy bout with Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez, unbeaten champion Floyd Mayweather called out the Filipino boxing star and challenged him to sign a fight contract for his May 5 reserved slot at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Pacquiao was earlier quoted as saying talks are ongoing between his promoter and Mayweather's camp for staging the most awaited boxing event.

This was however denied by Mayweather's camp, saying there was no official talks going on despite Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz's recent meeting with Mayweather in Las Vegas.

Under tremendous pressure from boxing fans, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum, who is rooting for a fourth encounter with Juan Manuel Marquez, assured fans the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight is bound to happen but it does not necessarily mean it will be staged on May 5, hinting it could happen later this year.

So with the uncertainties surrounding the mega fight, Pacquiao is left with three possible opponents, namely: Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Timothey Bradley.

Roach seems to favor Bradley over Marquez and Cotto and probably feels boxing fans may no longer be interested in a rematch with either of them.

The five-time trainer of the year said Mayweather is still the top choice but without him, he'll probably go for Bradley.

“Probably Bradley because we’ve done the others,” he said in a report by Abac Cordero of Philstar.com, referring to Marquez, whom Pacquiao had defeated twice in three matches, the other one being a draw, and Cotto, whom Pacquiao stopped inside 12 rounds in 2009.

“But Cotto could still be a good fight,” he added.

Arum, who seems inclined to go for Marquez or Bradley, can make immediate arrangement for the fight as they are both promoted by Top Rank. 

Roach and Arum are scheduled to fly to Manila first week of January to confer with Pacquiao and work out the best possible fight for the pound-for-pound king next year.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao has been very busy with his congressional duties while attending bible studies prior to the celebration of his 33rd birthday in his hometown of General Santos City.

Fellow congressmen, friends and constituents are expected to grace his birthday celebration Saturday along with invited foreign friends who flew in over the weekend.