WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the U.S. hangs his head after losing a unanimous decision to Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines after their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada April 12, 2014. REUTERS/Steve Marcus
WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley of the U.S. hangs his head after losing a unanimous decision to Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines after their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada April 12, 2014. REUTERS/Steve Marcus REUTERS

Timothy Bradley thinks that if the epic battle between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao would take place, it would be a close fight. Bradley said that it is going to be an "evenly matched" bout.

In an interview with Jenna J for On the Ropes Boxing, Bradley said that it would make sense if Mayweather fights Pacquiao next instead of Miguel Cotto. He said that Mayweather has already defeated Cotto so there wouldn't be that much excitement if the unbeaten boxer fights Cotto again. According to Bradley, it would be great if Mayweather and Pacquiao meet in the ring because it is what everyone has been longing to see.

"Me as a fan of boxing, I know that I would love to see him and Manny Pacquiao fight," Bradley said. "I would love to see those guys fight."

On the topic of Pacquiao's chances against Mayweather, Bradley said that the match will be pretty even. He praised Mayweather's skills inside the ring, but also said that Pacquiao could also present a tough fight to the Grand Rapids native boxer. Bradley said that the mere fact that Pacquiao has stepped into the boxing ring to fight someone like him says a lot about the eight-division Filipino world champion's ability to fight anyone else.

"I have a lot of hand speed, foot speed as well, Floyd has hand speed and foot speed as well," Bradley further uttered. "He's (Floyd) a better defensive fighter than I am but Manny Pacquiao throws punches in combinations, punches in bunches, so I think the fight is kind of evenly matched."

Bradley squared off with Pacquiao in June 2013. Bradley defeated Pacquiao with a controversial split decision victory in their first meeting. Bradley had trouble answering Pacquiao's straight left punches. Judges CJ Ross and Duane Ford scored 115-113 in favour of Bradley, while Jerry Roth scored 115-113 for Pacquiao.

A rematch took place less than a year later. Pacquiao won via unanimous decision in the rematch with Bradley in April 2014.

Meanwhile, talks are currently underway for Mayweather's next fight after he defeated Argentine Marcos Maidana in September, extending his winning streak to 47-0. Fighters have been lining up to get a shot at Mayweather's unbeaten record. Pacquiao, Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, and Amir Khan are reportedly Mayweather's potential opponents, Bleacher Report has said in a news article.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, is preparing for his upcoming fight in November in Macau. He will face undefeated fighter Chris Algieri, where his welterweight title is at stake.

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