ESPN reports that Manny Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley in a rematch of their first bout in June 2012. Notably, Pacquiao will receive a pay cut and Bradley a modest pay raise for the second fight scheduled for April 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum stated that Pacquiao will be guaranteed $20 million which is $6 million less than their first fight. Bradley will receive $6 million which is $1 million more than their first fight. Both fighters will receive a cut of the PPV although it was not reported how much either will receive. Their first fight received 890K PPV buys per HBO.
Bradley defeated Pacquiao in a controversial decision which saw Arum lobby for an investigation by the Nevada Attorney General. The investigation found no wrongdoing but it began a crossroads for both fighters. Pacquiao, not seeking an immediate rematch, fought Juan Manuel Marquez and was KO’d by his old foe. In November, he defeated Brandon Rios although the buy rate was a mediocre 475K PPV buys. Since the Pacquiao fight, Bradley defeated Ruslan Provodnikov and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Notably, Bradley entered into a one year sponsorship deal with Nike right before their first fight. He has been sponsored by the swoosh ever since.
Payout Perspective:
Despite receiving less for this rematch, Pacquiao does get $2 million more from his last fight in November. The fight should do better than their first encounter based on the story line of what transpired in their first fight. Realistically, Bradley winning their first fight has aided Top Rank as it helped them promote Bradley while Pacquiao was out. And frankly, he’s a better fighter now than he was in June 2012. For Pacquiao, it’s a chance to avenge a loss he doesn’t believe should be a loss.
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