Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley: Floyd Mayweather, Retirement Discussed At Event

Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley: Floyd Mayweather, Retirement Discussed At Event

By GREG BEACHAM

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. both realize almost every boxing fan wishes Floyd Mayweather Jr. had been standing next to Pacquiao at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Tuesday.

But when Pacquiao and Mayweather failed to make a deal for the fight everybody wants to see, Pacquiao moved down the list of contenders to make a fight he hopes his fans will enjoy.

Pacquiao and Bradley are getting an early start on the promotional circuit for their welterweight bout June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Even while the Filipino congressman and his unbeaten opponent posed for photos and praised each other in the peach-colored ballroom at the historic Hollywood hideaway, Pacquiao and his camp realized Mayweather's absence looms over the proceedings.


Pressed for details about the breakdown in negotiations with Mayweather, Pacquiao said he was willing to fight for a 50-50 split of all revenue from what's likely to be the richest fight in boxing history. Pacquiao recounted his phone conversation with Mayweather several weeks ago, with negotiations falling apart afterward.

That $40 million might sound like a fortune, but a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is expected to produce more than $150 million in pay-per-view proceeds alone. Mayweather's camp denies Mayweather made such an offer, but the verbal sniping likely won't let up next week when Mayweather begins promoting his May 5 bout against Miguel Cotto.


Pacquiao is making a brief trip stateside before heading back to the Philippines. After stops in Las Vegas and Hollywood for promotional shoots, he's taking a Nike corporate jet to New York for more publicity – and hopefully a meeting with Jeremy Lin before the Knicks' next game Wednesday night.