Timothy Bradley, the waiting game

It’s been over two months since his last fight and Cathedral City champion Timothy Bradley still doesn’t have an opponent yet. But good things come to those who wait.

What’s holding things up for Bradley is the negotiations for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. If Pacquiao doesn’t make that fight, then he will select from a group of four boxers, which includes Bradley. A fight against Pacquiao has earned opponents a reported $5 million in the past.

The other four being considered are Lamont Peterson, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez. The way things are looking, Bradley might be the best option.

Miguel Cotto reportedly refuses to fight down in weight at 147, claiming he was drained in the last fight trying to lose so much weight. Pacquiao, who usually comes in under at 147, won’t fight up, so the weight appears to be a deal breaker.

A fight against Marquez would be the fourth, and people are cooling over yet another fight between the two. Yes, they’ve all been great fight, but nothing new to be explored there.

Peterson was an interesting choice, coming off his victory over Amir Khan. But Peterson was dominated by Bradley. Now that a mandatory rematch has been ordered for Peterson-Khan, that choice seems unlikely.

That leaves Bradley. The knock on Bradley is that he doesn’t bring in enough marquee value for a pay-per-view fight. But what Bradley brings to the table might be too attractive to turn down. Bradley would best prepare Pacquiao for Mayweather as there is talk they would more likely fight in November than May. Drawback, Bradley could be the toughest opponent Pacquiao has faced in a while. At 28, Bradley is young, fresh and quick, something you can’t say for Pacquiao’s last few opponents over the last few years. If the Pacquiao camp thinks Bradley is too dangerous, they might try to squirm out of the fight.

Hence, the waiting game. If Bradley can’t get the Pacquiao fight, then he has an attractive alternative in Marquez, a superstar in Mexico. A victory over Marquez would enhance Bradley’s already impressive resume.

We should know more by next week. So we’ll all be on the edge of our seats.