Pacquiao-Bradley II hits road block

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley have both agreed to terms to face each other on April 12th for a rematch of what was one of the most controversial decisions in boxing history. However, the final piece to the puzzle was proposed to Timothy Bradley that he would have to sign a contract extension with Top Rank Promotions in order for the fight to go through. Bradley seems hesitant about it.

It's hard not to blame Bradley for not wanting to resign with Top Rank Promotions. It was widely known how upset he was with Arum for how he handled the situation that unfolded after Bradley was awarded a controversial decision in his first fight with Pacquiao. Arum was right though in being outraged at the decision and maybe even right in putting Bradley on ice until the anger from the boxing fans had cooled down. Everyone knew it wasn't Bradley's fault that he was given the decision but that didn't stop much of the hate pouring on to his shoulders. Bradley came back in 2013 with a vengeance and the amount of respect and recognition that he earned in his Fight of the Year fight against Provodnikov and his split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez has nearly erased the negativity of the aftermath of the first Pacquiao fight.

The biggest problem that team Bradley is likely to have with signing an extension is the simple fact that leaving Top Rank may land him a shot against Floyd Mayweather. The Cold War that has taken over the boxing world has pinned Top Rank against Golden Boy. Unfortunately for Top Rank, Timothy Bradley has gone through every good opponent they have to offer in the welterweight division. Bradley could be perfectly happy with the way Top Rank brought him back in 2013 but truth be told they simply don't have anyone left for him to fight. If he were to leave Top Rank and go to Golden Boy he could get into the ring with guys like Marcos Maidana, Amir Khan, Adrien Broner, Robert Guerrero, Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman, and ultimately Floyd Mayweather. One can see why Bradley is so hesitant to sign a contract extension knowing that he can't get those big fights if he were to stay with Top Rank.