Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said picking Timothy Bradley as opponent for his next fight is a decision not solely based on "business standpoint," but also with the interest of boxing fans around the world.
"So contrary to what some sectors believe, the choice of Bradley was not based solely on a business standpoint," Pacquiao told Philboxing.
"Many, indeed, seemed dissatisfied with the choice, but what I can assure everybody is we made that decision having the interest of the boxing public in mind."
Pacquiao's announcement to fight Bradley on Apr. 9 at MGM Grand Arena in what could be the former's last fight came as a surprise to pundits and fans, who expected that the former eight-division titlist would opt to fight Amir Khan or Top Rank Promotions stablemate Terence Crawford.
Bradley, a two-time WBO welterweight champion, defeated Pacquiao in 2012 via a controversial split decision. Pacquiao then completely avenged his loss two years later by a convincing unanimous decision over Bradley, whom the Filipino also thinks a proven PPV attraction.
However, according to Robert Morales of the Los Angeles Daily News, a third installment of Pacquiao versus Bradley would not be thrilling in whatever aspects of the bout, including the PPV numbers.
"The first two fights did approximately 900,000 and 800,000 pay-per-view buys, respectively, according to industry sources. It's doubtful this one will approach those numbers," Morales wrote.
Morales also argued that it would be more exciting for fans if Pacquiao would fight Khan or Crawford, who are both included in Bob Arum's list of opponents for the Filipino boxer.
But according to Arum, people should not buy watching the bout just because of seeing Pacquiao fight in the boxing ring for the last time, but instead buy the fight because of a "great undercard" lined up come fight night.
According to Morales, Arum plans to include Germany's Arthur Abraham against Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez in the undercard. The 84-year-old businessman also wants to put on a fight between Ike Ibeabuchi against Andy Ruiz.