No Smiles, No Fixed Fights. All Business Tonight.
Tonight, Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao puts his WBO Welterweight title on the line against undefeated Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley. This marks Pacquiao’s first fight since his controversial decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez III last November. The fight that all of the boxing world wanted to see last month was Mayweather vs. Pacquiao; but negotiations fell thru with promoters and fighters not seeing eye to eye on percentage takings and blood testing with the fight being postponed indefinitely. Miguel Cotto also had been potential candidate for this fight but stated the 147-pound welterweight limit was too low for him. He soon accepted Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s challenge and lost last month via decision. Unlike Mayweather who’s already established boxer with nothing else to prove in the ring, the undefeated Desert Storm wants to prove to the world he’s an elite boxer tonight even agreeing to a fight without blood testing against Manny. Pacquiao is a 4-1 favorite tonight to retain the title and win a 16th fight in a row, but Bradley is still confident for tonight’s fight being against all odds. For the sake of the sport, Manny Pacquiao winning tonight would still give hope to the boxing world for a fight with Money Mayweather, but if Desert Storm pulls the upset that fight may never happen.
For those of you wondering how you’ll be able to juggle both watching the Fight and Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Manny Pacquiao said Friday afternoon at weigh-ins that he wouldn’t start his bout until after the conclusion of the Celtics-Heat game. Pacquiao is known to be an avid Celtics fan and wanted to watch game 7 even if it meant postponing his own main-event match for tonight.
Be sure to tune in tonight as this fight emanates live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Watch live On PPV at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT).
Check the jump for a special video preview along with the complete match card listings.
Welterweight Championship bout: Manny Pacquiao (c) vs. Timothy Bradley
Welterweight Championship bout: Mike Jones vs. Randall Bailey
Bantamweight Championship bout: Jorge Arce (c) vs. Jesús Rojas
Super Bantamweight Championship bout: Guillermo Rigondeaux (c) vs. Teon Kennedy
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NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
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Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley, 9 p.m. ET, PPV