By Steve Kim
On April 9th, welterweights Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley square off for the third time at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Who will round out the rest of the HBO pay-per-view card is coming together.
According to promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, just the "last few cockamamie details'' remain in regards to the bout between WBO super middlewight belt-holder Arthur Abraham and mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez being the chief supporting bout to this bill. The two sides reached a deal in principle to avoid a WBO mandated purse bid.
As for the other remaining slots on the show,"I'm going to do an all-Hispanic undercard," said Arum over the weekend.
"So we're going to talk to (manager) Frank (Espinoza) about an Oscar Valdez fight and also, definitely Jose Ramirez will be on in a really good fight."
Ramirez (16-0, 12 KO's), who is a lightweight, is scheduled to have his first ten rounder on this card. He has quickly established himself as a gate attraction in Fresno, California. Valdez (18-0, 16 KO'), a two-time Mexican Olympian is the top rated featherweight by the WBO (who's champion is Top Rank promoted Vasyl Lomachenko)
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
