Should Manny Pacquiao defeat Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. not emerge as the Filipino superstar’s next foe, Coachella Valley’s Tim Bradley will.
The unbeaten Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) reappears from promotional problems Saturday when he defends his World Boxing Organization junior-welterweight title against veteran Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs) on the Pacquiao-Marquez III pay-per-view.
“I’m a lot stronger mentally after everything that’s happened –- the promoters, the criticism,” Bradley said.
Bradley burned with anger after being deprived of a substantial portion of site money given to his promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson by the Silverdome in Detroit in January. Bradley beat then-unbeaten Devon Alexander then.
Rather than accept a summer date against another 140-pound world champion Amir Khan, Bradley balked, opting to deprive the promoters of more cash. He was criticized for ducking Khan.
“It’s a sport, but it’s a business,” Bradley said. “I always wanted to fight Amir Khan. I still do. He’s one of the top guys on my list to fight, behind Pacquiao and Mayweather.”
By striking a nine-fight, three-year promotional deal with Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank, he’s well-positioned to ultimately get Pacquiao.
“I just have to take care of business Saturday,” Bradley said. “Line ‘em all up.”
-- Lance Pugmire
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