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| Isaac Brekken/AP (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Boxing fans got an early new year's gift on Thursday as Manny Pacquiao's potential final opponent was named.
Multiple reports said that Tim Bradley has agreed in terms of an April 10 (Philippine Time) fight against Pacquiao, the third time they will face off.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said in the reports that the Pacquiao-Bradley 3 is now "a done deal."
The said announcement officially debunked a report that Adrian Broner is being groomed as Pacquiao's next foe, which was more formalized when Arum himself denied the report.
Bradley stunned the world when he scored a split decision victory over Pacquiao in their first meeting, but the latter got back by giving him his first career loss in the rematch.
Since the loss, Bradley is on a three-match unbeaten streak, winning his last two with the recent being a knockout of Brandon Rios on Nov. 8 (Philippine Time).
Pacquiao, on the other hand, looks to bounce back from a loss to Floyd Mayweather in their megabucks fight on May 3 (Philippine Time), which many thought failed to live up to the hype, and possibly end his illustrious boxing career on a high note.
The Pacquiao-Bradley showdown will come exactly a month from the Philippine elections, where Pacquiao eyes one of 12 senatorial seats at stake.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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