By Rick Reeno
Michael Koncz, the adviser to eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38KOs), was shocked with Timothy Bradley's decision to reject a $6 million dollar offer to face the Filipino star in a rematch on November 23rd in Macau, China.
Bradley (30-0, 12KOs), who won a controversial decision over Pacquiao last June, accepted an offer to defend his WBO welterweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40KOs) on September 14th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Marquez is coming off a sixth round knockout of Pacquiao from last December.
Koncz is not surprised that Marquez, who was offered $13 million, rejected a fifth fight with Pacquiao, but he was very surprised with Bradley's decision - especially since the offer allowed Bradley to keep his WBO title.
“I'm not so surprised with Marquez's decision, because now he has the bragging rights [that he knocked out Pacquiao] even though I consider it lucky punch and we were winning the entire previous rounds, if not all of them then most of them. I'm not surprised that he wouldn't have a rematch, but with Bradley I am quite surprised and it doesn't any make sense. We offered him six million, plus we told him that he could keep his belt, that we wouldn’t fight for the belt. Even if he lost to Manny, he would retain his belt and be the WBO champion,” Koncz told BoxingScene.com.
In his personal opinion, Koncz predicts Marquez will win an easy twelve round decision, and because of their styles he doesn’t expect a fight filled with fireworks.
“I think Marquez is going to have a fairly easy time with Bradley. I don’t think [Marquez will stop him]. I have nothing negative to say about Bradley, his family or Monica, but he took a terrible beating [against Ruslan Provodnikov], I hope his motor skills are functioning properly - but I just think you have someone who is counter-puncher fighting someone who is not going to go toe to toe or come straight at you, which is what Marquez really needs to look good," Koncz said.
