Bradley backs Crawford as Pacquiao’s next foe

CEBU, Philippines - WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley and two-time Manny Pacquiao opponent does not mind if Terence Crawford becomes the Filipino’s next opponent instead of him.

The opponent choices for Pacquiao’s comeback fight next year are down to Bradley and Crawford, who are both promoted by Top Rank Inc.

The fighting congressman is expected to come up with a decision anytime soon, and Bradley is fine if ever Crawford ends up  getting the call.

“I wouldn't mind seeing a young lion get a shot at Pacquiao before Pacquiao leaves. Terence Crawford is a good friend of mine and I would like to see him get that shot,” Bradley said in a report by boxingscene.com.

“I think Crawford has a very good chance of beating Manny Pacquiao. We don't know how Manny Pacquiao is going to come back,” he added.

Bradley has fought Pacquiao twice, escaping with a controversial split decision in their first meeting in 2012 and yielding to Pacquiao in their rematch two years later.

While he welcomes a Pacquiao-Crawford clash, Bradley isn’t ruling out meeting Pacquiao for a third time.

“But of course I would fight Pacquiao in a rubber match,” he said. — Dino Maragay (FREEMAN)