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Though extremely early hype has already started for a November 10 rematch between Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao following last night's wild controversy in Vegas, Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times reports that it might not be as set in stone as even the fighters may think.
The reason? There might not be any interest in a rematch.
Fight promoter Bob Arum said after the bout that he heard from ticket brokers who said they would have trouble selling seats to a Bradley rematch because most fight watchers considered the World Boxing Organization welterweight title bout on Saturday at the MGM Grand a one-sided Pacquiao victory.
"The brokers are telling us if we make a Bradley rematch, no one will go," Arum said.
Todd duBoef, president of Arum's Top Rank promotional company, said he'd like to see the results of polls asking fans if they want a rematch before committing to a second fight.
So let's help Todd out and make one of these polls: Would you pay money, for a live ticket or on pay-per-view, for a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch on November 10? (More after the jump, past the poll.)
Obviously, I'm on board for it, but then I'm on board for any fight, really. My opinion here is worthless, which is why I'm asking you guys for real answers. The fact that I watched Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Rico Ramos in January didn't mean there was public interest in the fight. That's apples and oranges, of course, but still.
The thing with a rematch here is, they have to figure out a way to spin it, to angle it, to make it stick for people. The reality is a vast majority feel Manny -- the guy they paid to see last night -- was robbed. People feel like they've seen him beat Tim Bradley already. Why do they need to see it again?
It would be one thing if the rematch were on HBO, but that's not even a remote possibility. You can't pay someone the kinds of purses these guys have for a fight with each other for an HBO date, and neither of them would be keen to take major pay slashes, either, and rightfully so.
It's tricky, though. They'd have to get this pretty much exactly right to sell it as the level of fight it needs to be.
Chances are, the rematch will happen. It'll be tough to convince Manny Pacquiao, if nothing else, that he can't have this rematch. He wants to avenge the loss, has stated that, and even says he wants it in Vegas. It could be the toughest big-fight sell in recent memory, though.
Pacquiao vs Bradley Results
Bradley SD-12 Pacquiao | Arce NC-2 Rojas
Bailey TKO-11 Jones | Rigondeaux TKO-5 Kennedy
Post-Fight Fallout
Arum 'Ashamed' of Boxing | Judges Scorecards (Photo)
Full Fight Video Highlights | Manny Wants Rematch in Vegas
Winners and Losers: Manny and Bob Win, Bradley and Marquez Lose