Binitiwan ng Amerikanong si Timothy Bradley ang kanyang WBO welterweight crown kaya wala siyang ipanlalabang titulo sa pagharap kay eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao sa Abril 9 sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nakuha ni Bradley ang bakanteng WBO welterweight crown nang talunin sa puntos at palasapin ng unang pagkatalo ang kababayang si Jessie Vargas noong Hunyo 2015 at naidepensa niya sa unang pagkakataon nang mapatigil si Brandon Rios pagkaraan ng limamg buwan.
Iniutos ng WBO kay Bradley na idepensa ang kanyang korona kay No. 1 contender Sadam Ali ng United States, ngunit mas pinili niyang sagupain si Pacquiao kaya tiyak na huhubaran din siya ng titulo ng samahan.
“As you know I will be fighting Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. To accept this fight invariably means I cannot comply with my mandatory obligation and must forgo the mandatory challenger against Sadam Ali, as ordered by the WBO,” ayon sa sulat ni Bradley sa WBO. “This is a difficult decision, but one I have to make to give fans the best fights as well as allow myself the toughest and biggest fights possible from both a competitive and financial perspective,” aniya.
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Tinanggap naman ni WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel ang desisyon ni Bradley kaya iniutos na niyang maglaban sa Marso 5 sa Washington D.C.sina Ali at Vargas para sa nabakanteng korona .
“I am in receipt of your February 4, 2016 letter wherein you state that given your upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao on April 9, 2016 you are unable to comply with WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, the WBO Championship Committee’s Resolution of November 6, 2015 (ordering the winner of Bradley vs. Rios to face WBO Mandatory Challenger Sadam Ali), and must vacate your WBO Welterweight Title,” sabi ni Valcarcel sa kanyang tugon kay Bradley.
“Do know that we wholly understand your decision and commend you for always giving fans the best fights possible and doing what is best for your career at this important juncture,” dagdag ni Valcarcel. “You have been an outstanding, honorable and loyal WBO Junior Welterweight and Welterweight Champion of the World and the doors of the WBO will always be open for you. Finally, I am pleased to inform you that we are preparing a special recognition for the Pacquiao vs Bradley III winner— two remarkable fighters and worthy ambassadors to the WBO.” (Gilbert Espeña)
