By Chris LaBate
WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley has signed a promotional agreement with Top Rank, and plans to make his next ring appearance on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. According to Bradley (27-0, 11KOs), he will face former champion Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22KOs) on the card. It will be Bradley's first fight since the January technical decision win over Devon Alexander.
“I’m just so happy. I don’t know what to say man. I’m so excited,” Bradley told The Desert Sun. “Wow. It’s unbelievable. It’s very unbelievable. Everything was looking down, looking down, and boom. Now everything is starting to look up.”
“Somebody’s gotta lose [between me and Casamayor] and it’s not going to be me. Like I said, he’s a worthy opponent, he’s a tough guy. I know people will say, 'why did you pick him?' I didn’t pick him; it’s what Top Rank gave me. That’s who they gave me and I’m getting ready for him.”
Bradley is still involved in a lawsuit with his former promoters, Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing, who are suing the boxer for turning down a lucrative deal to face Amir Khan this past July.
“I’m not even worried about it. My lawyers are on it,” Bradley said. “This is my job, my livelihood and I’m contracted to fight. As far as the lawsuit goes, I’m not sure. All I know is my lawyers are on it, and they gave me the OK to fight.”