Bradley defeated Marquez in a split decision, lasting 12 rounds against the man who most recently beat Pacquiao. Judges Robert Hoyle and Patricia Jarman scored the bout for Bradley, while Glenn Feldman ruled in favor of Marquez.
Pacquiao is set to fight again on Nov. 23 when he faces Brandon Rios. He has lost the last two times he has stepped in the ring, but it would be a big upset if Pac-Man was defeated for a third consecutive time. Pacquiao is a -420 favorite with the bout a little less than six weeks away. Assuming a matchup with Floyd Mayweather is off the table, Bradley might be the opponent that Pacquiao has his sights set on.
It wouldn't be the first time that Pacquiao has tried for a rematch with the man who took his title. He offered Bradley more guaranteed money for another shot at the welterweight championship. However, Bradley declined, and took the fight with Marquez.
"Money isn't everything," Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. "The purses they are getting are substantial and legacy is important for both Timothy and Juan Manuel Marquez. Timothy wants Marquez's scalp on his belt, so to speak.”
Now that he has wins against both Pacquiao and Marquez, Bradley is claiming to be an all-time great fighter. The victory put his career record at 31-0.
"That win was my ticket to the boxing Hall of Fame," Bradley said. "I beat a great champion."
His victory against Pacquiao, though, remains tainted in the eyes of many. Almost every expert in attendance for the fight scored it in favor of Pacquiao. One of the judges who helped give Bradley the split decision, C.J. Ross, had to step down because of her history of controversial rulings.
"Anything is possible," said Bradley, in regards to possible second fight with Pacquiao. "I'd love that challenge. I'll have to sit down with my management and see what makes sense from here."
Pacquiao may not be the same boxer that Bradley faced over a year ago. After he lost the belt in June, Pac-Man was knocked out by Marquez in December. Still, if Bradley wants to prove to his critics that he is one of the best boxers around, he may have to face Pacquiao once more.
The people who don't believe in me I want to make believe in me,” Bradley said before facing Marquez. “I love to be the underdog.
10/17/13
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Come backing Filipino boxing treasure Manny Pacquiao is already 85 percent ready for his coming fight with Mexican-American Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios November 24 in Macau.
his, his boyhood friend and a**istant trainer Buboy Fernandez a**essed Tuesday, six weeks before the eight-division world belt holder climbs the ring to make up for the unprecedented back-to-back defeats he suffered last year – first, a questionable split decision to undefeated Tim Bradley, and the KO loss against arch-enemy Juan Manuel Marquez.
“As of now, four weeks after pitching camp here (Pacman Wild Card Gym), I can say that Manny is only 15 percent short of getting into competitive shape,” the burly Fernandez said.
Buboy is overseeing the Pacman's preparations pending the arrival of chief trainer Freddie Roach, pronounced.
“As we've been saying, Manny has already regained his old strength, speed and everything needed in preparation for a coming fight,” Fernandez, who is a**isted here by Nonoy Neri, Roger “Haplas” Fernandez, brothers Dodie Boy and Carl Penalosa Jr., a**ured.
“Handang-handa na si Manny sa pagdating dito ni coach Freddie at Justin (conditioning coach Justin Fortune) . Siguro, konting kakulangan na lang sa conditioning, depensa and, most importantly in sparring, ang pupunuan pagdating nila,” he added.
“Talagang kulang pa sa sparring. Reason for this naman eh hindi pa naman talaga dapat magsimula in this phase of preparations. Sparring normally starts at the arrival of coach Freddie,” Buboy bared. “Well, maybe Manny felt, he's ready na for it kaya siya mismo ang nag-decide na umpisahan na.”