Boxing rumors 2015: Tim Bradley wants Miguel Cotto next, not Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr.Reuters

Being named as Manny Pacquiao's final opponent in 2016 is an honor and privilege that current boxers would surely want to take, although some are not exactly elated about it.

One boxer who seems to be fine with it but not overly ecstatic is Timothy Bradley Jr., who has suddenly become a hot commodity following his impressive win over Brandon Rios last month.

To rewind a bit, Bradley showed the difference a change in trainer could do. He won via total knockout (TKO) over Rios, something credited to the work that new trainer Teddy Atlas did on the man known to many as "Desert Storm".

That performance got the attention of Pacquiao and company and just like that, he is among the top candidates for the Filipino boxer's farewell bout set for April 9, 2016.

Along with Terence Crawford, there are the only two remaining names up for consideration. The third name in the basket, Amir Khan, has opted to forego a possible clash with Pacquiao and set his sights on Kell Brook instead.

But it seems Bradley is more inclined to face another fighter, former champion Miguel Cotto per reports from Boxingscene.com. Cotto recently lost via unanimous decision to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez but Bradley sees him as a more dangerous and stronger opponent to take on.

Seeing how Cotto ranks in the boxing circle as well as the fans, it seems that Bradley feels that he could see a better fight with the Puerto Rican rather than tie himself up on a deciding rubber match with Pacquiao.

Bradley won over Pacquiao back in 2012, although that split decision win was hounded by controversy. The two would meet again in 2014 with Pacquiao coming back strong and hacking out a unanimous win.

Bradley has been on a rocky ground since then but it was his victory over Rios that got his career back on track.