By Rick Reeno
A few days ago, promoter Lou DiBella told BoxingScene.com that he planned to watch Saturday's welterweight bout between Timothy Bradley and Carlos Abregu with a lot of interest. DiBella was interested in the fight because he planned to pursue the winner as a possible fall opponent for WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto.
Bradley won a dominating twelve round decision. He still holds the WBO title at 140-pounds, but made the move to 147 to put himself in position for additional opportunities. One of those additional opportunities will be heading his way.
BoxingScene spoke with DiBella to get his thoughts, and Big Lou is planning to speak with Berto and manager Al Haymon about a potential fight with Bradley in the fall.
"I'm willing to make a fight with Berto and Bradley right now. Let's be honest, Bradley is not getting a fight with [Floyd] Mayweather or [Manny] Pacquiao, and Berto is not getting a fight with Mayweather or Pacquiao," DiBella told BoxingScene. "Bradley showed that he can perform at 147. He looked great tonight. What does Bradley have to lose?"
"Berto is not a big 147-pounder. If there is a money fight with [Antonio] Margarito or Miguel Cotto at 154, he would move up to take it. Unlike some of my competitors, I'm not delusional to sit and think that I'm going to get a fight with Mayweather or Pacquiao. After how he performed tonight, I think Berto against Bradley is an interesting fight."
Another fight on DiBella's list would see Berto move up to 154 to challenge Cotto for his WBA title. In order for a Cotto-Berto fight to be in play, Pacquiao would have to finalize a deal to face Margarito. Cotto and Margarito are the two frontrunners to meet Pacquiao in November. If Pacquiao-Margarito gets done, then Cotto becomes a serious possibility. DiBella has already spoken with Top Rank about a Cotto-Berto fight at 154.
"If certain things break the right way, it would open up a Cotto fight, but I think Bradley is a good alternative," DiBella said.
