Apparently, undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley is the likely frontrunner to land the November 10 assignment to face 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. According to a source, WBO jr. welterweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who was hoping to face Pacquiao for a fourth time, has priced himself out of the opportunity, demanding far more money than what promoter Bob Arum believes he's worth.
"It's business. Marquez wants too much money and they are simply not going to pay an opponent the kind of money he's demanding," our source commented, explaining that the economics of a fourth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez may not be quite as profitable if both fighters are making double digit million dollar purses. Marquez's demands have essentially opened the door for Bradley, whose first fight with Pacquiao was not the financial success that they were hoping for, but nonetheless still profitable.
The fact that Bradley is willing to take the fight for a much smaller purse than Marquez will ultimately mean more bottom line profit for Top Rank, especially if Arum was also able to convince Pacquiao that he too would have to take a smaller purse for the rematch. In fact, that may be the reason why Arum suggested "the pay-per-view networks, the cable companies and the satellite people in the United States don't believe that Bradley will do appreciable business" and "they are not going to spend the money we need them to spend."
Just last week, Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer revealed that Top Rank officially requested the date of November 10 for Pacquiao's next fight to be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The news lends credence to the belief that Marquez, who has also stood firm on his refusal to face Pacquiao in Las Vegas, is now out of the running. Coincidentally, around that same time, Bradley began amping up his own verbal attacks, suggesting Pacquiao was afraid to face him again and even commenting, "Floyd [Mayweather] flattens Manny Pacquiao." Although Bradley insists that he's unsure if the rematch with Pacquiao will indeed take place, our source tells us that it's simply an act and Bradley is already creating hype for a fight that he's already been offered. "Bradley is acting out of character again; basically selling the fight already. He's been made the offer, and believe me, he's taking it," the source added.
As for Marquez, there's a very strong possibility that he could be facing IBF jr. welterweight champion Lamont Peterson in the near future. Although the IBF has declared that Peterson must face mandatory challenger Zab Judah, both Lamont and his trainer, Barry Hunter, have sounded as if there's a possibility that the fight may not come to fruition during recent interviews. Furthermore, they have both been extremely thankful of Bob Arum's support throughout Peterson's ordeal pertaining to the failed drug test. Not to mention, Peterson himself has suggested that the fight he wants most is a showdown with fellow jr. welterweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. With Pacquiao quickly running out of Top Rank opponents, don't be surprised if Peterson and Marquez do indeed face off, with the winner promised a 2013 showdown against Pacquiao.
[ Follow Ben Thompson on Twitter @fighthype ]