by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum met with Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz in Arum’s home yesterday, to discuss a possible third fight against Timothy Bradley in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas likely to happen.
Koncz is expected to discuss the details with Pacquiao and a decision is expected to be made within the next two days.
Arum told the New Standard/BoxingScene.com “Mike was over at my house and he will let me know (Pacquiao’s response) to a possible trilogy with Bradley “today or tomorrow.”
Arrangements have already been made with Bradley who is also handled by Top Rank Promotions.
Bradley is coming off an impressive 9th round TKO victory over Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios last November 7 in Las Vegas.
Arum himself said “that was the best Bradley I’ve ever seen and we had him for so many years.”
It will be Pacquiao’s first ring appearance after his unanimous decision loss to undefeated pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr in their May 2 “Fight of the Century.” Mayweather has since retired.
Bradley won a universally condemned split decision over Pacquiao on June 9, 2012 to grab the WBO welterweight title from Pacquiao but lost a lopsided unanimous decision to the Filipino southpaw in a rematch on April 12, 2014.
Boxing Scene quoted trainer Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of Floyd, who said Atlas won’t be a factor in the potential trilogy between Pacquiao and Bradley.
Jeff Mayweather noted “I thought he (Bradley) got beat fairly easily both times. Teddy Atlas – or anyone else – can help him win.”
Speaking on the program “On The Ropes” boxing radio show, Jeff Mayweather said Bradley “may do a little better but at the end of the day Tim’s been in a lot of wars since the last time they fought . He may have more wear and tear on him than Pacquiao does.” Jeff Mayweather concluded “ I think that we’ll see almost the same thing in the trilogy. I don’t think Teddy Atlas is going to make him win. He probably won’t even make him look much better.”
