Unbeaten Coachella Valley boxer Timothy Bradley signed a new promotional contract Thursday and was assigned a prominent semi-main event fight, most likely against former champion Joel Casamayor, on the Nov. 12 Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez card at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Bradley (27-0, 11 knockouts) hasn't fought since January following a split with former promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson, who've sued the fighter claiming he owes them one more fight after walking away from an estimated $1.25-million pay day in July against junior-welterweight world champion Amir Khan of England.
Bradley hasn't settled with Shaw and Thompson, the boxer's manager Cameron Dunkin said, but he's been legally advised he can sign with veteran fight promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank company.
Arum confirmed the signing Thursday night.
"He hasn't been promoted correctly," Arum said. "We'll figure out a way, and showing him to the audience we're most dependent upon -- the pay-per-view fans -- is a great way to get this moving along."
Should Pacquiao and Bradley win Nov. 12 and promoters remain unable to stage the Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. super-fight, Bradley is strongly positioned to have a shot at the Filipino superstar.
Arum said he hasn't promised a bout against Pacquiao to Bradley.
Dunkin agreed, adding, "But fights like that can happen for him now. It opens the door for him to great shows, big exposure. He's ecstatic."
--Lance Pugmire
Photo: Timothy Bradley during a training session at the Indio Boys and Girls Club earlier this year. Credit: Christina House / For The Times
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