BRADLEY FORMALLY RELINQUISHES WBO WELTERWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Feb 2016
WBO welterweight champion Timothy ?Desert Storm? Bradley has opted to relinquish his title as part of the price he is willing to pay for a third encounter with eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao which is expected to enhance his career legacy and a lucrative payday that comes with the decision.
Managing Editor Jake Donovan of Boxing Scene reports that when Pacquiao and Bradley meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 9 they would know the winner of the showdown between Sadam Ali and Jessie Vargas which takes place at the D.C. Armory in Washington D.C. on March 5.
Donovan said Sadam Ali emerged as the mandatory challenger to the vacant interim title Bradley acquired in a 12-round unanimous decision win over Vargas last June. The title was upgraded to full championship status once the WBO stripped Floyd Mayweather ? a mere formality as the former unbeaten pound-for-pound king ultimately retired last September ? but also came with the condition that the mandatory defense would have to be honored at some point.
Bradley went ahead with a defense against Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios in which he scored a 9th round knockout in their HBO-televised title fight last November in Las Vegas. Bradley was well aware of Ali being due for a title shot when Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum chose Bradley to face Pacquiao in a trilogy.
Explaining his decision in a notarized letter to WBO president Francisco ?Paco? Valcarcel, Bradley said ?As you know, I will be fighting Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To accept this fight invariably means I cannot comply with my mandatory obligation and must forgo the mandatory (challenge) against Sadam Ali, as ordered by the WBO.?
Bradley said ?This is a difficult decision, but one I have to make to give fans the best fights as well as allow myself the toughest and biggest fights possible from both a competitive and financial perspective.?
Bradley captured the welterweight belt in a highly questionable split decision win over Pacquiao in June 2012, making two successful defenses before surrendering the crown in their April 2014 rematch when Pacquiao avenged his split decision loss which was universally criticized with a lopsided unanimous decision.
Pacquaio?s first reign began with a 12th round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in Nov. ?09, lasting just over 2? years before the controversial defeat to Bradley. His second tour as WBO welterweight champ lasted only 13 months, losing the belt to Mayweather last May in what remains the most lucrative event in boxing history.
As Mayweather opted to retire just one fight later, there has been serious talk of Pacquiao following suit, although for entirely different reasons. Pacquiao who currently serves as a Congressman from the province of Sarangani is making a run for a Senate seat in the Philippines, with the general election due to take place in May. Such a position comes as a full-time responsibility, meaning he would have to leave boxing behind for as long as he serves office.
In responding to Bradley?s letter, Valcardel said ?we wholly understand your decision and commend you for always giving fans the best fights possible and doing what is best for your career at this important juncture. You have been an outstanding, honorable and loyal WBO Junior Welterweight and Welterweight Champion of the World and the doors of the WBO will always be open for you.
Valcarcel said in conclusion ?I am pleased to inform you that we are preparing a special recognition for the Pacquiao vs Bradley III winner ? two remarkable fighters and worthy ambassadors to the WBO.?
Photo: Bradley wins the WBO from Pacquiao during the first encounter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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