Timothy Bradley Could Face Saul Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao in Next Fight, Says Bob Arum
World Boxing Organization welterweight title holder Timothy Bradley could face Mexican rising star Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and even the eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in his next fight.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told Boxing Scene that if Bradley successfully defends his crown against "Bam Bam" Brandon Rios on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, he could get a shot against "Canelo" or "Pacman."
However, the 83-year-old promoter also noted that as much as it means to Bradley, it also carries great weight for Rios.
"The future is open for both of them. If Bradley wins he can go on and maybe fight Manny Pacquiao or maybe fight Canelo if Canelo beats Cotto. If Rios wins Canelo is a good option and if those fights don't materialize there are a lot of guys they can fight," Arum said.
ESPN noted that the two sides were looking into the several potential bouts after the Bradley-Rios showdown.
"If Canelo beats Cotto, I've talked to (Alvarez promoter) Oscar (De La Hoya) about the winner of Bradley-Rios fighting Canelo, and he loves it," the Top Rank executive said.
Robert Garcia, "Bam Bam's" boxing coach, reportedly shared their camp's plans if they capture the WBO belt from Bradley.
"This is such an important fight. Win this, and we can fight (Terence) Crawford or the winner of Canelo versus Cotto," Garcia said.
Both camps are ready.
With the importance of this fight between the two boxers, both camps have prepared well for the fight. Each of the fighters is also confident that he will be declared the winner before the night ends.
Boxing Scene noted that Team Rios already devised a "strategy" to win over Bradley. Garcia revealed that his boxer will be applying "pressure in the fight" so that the former champion can knock him out.
The two-time welterweight champion welcomed the "pressure"challenge as he is also focused on his goal to triumph against the Texas-born fighter. The California native even fired back that Rios' only chance to defeat him is through a "lucky punch," per another site's report. Yet, the 32-year-old fighter still did not think of it happening.
With only a couple of days before the match, Bradley is the more favored fighter to win with a 5-1 odds, Boxing Scene noted, citing Internet and Las Vegas sports books data.
Although he is the underdog, Rios is not bothered at all. "Bam Bam" is resolved to giving his best on Saturday to silence his critics.
Who will move on to the next step of his career, is it Bradley or Rios?
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