Although many believe that it would be only a matter of time before Timothy Bradley Jr. is named as Manny Pacquiao's final opponent for April 9, 2016, "Desert Storm" maintains that negotiations are still ongoing.

Bradley has suddenly become a favorite to become Pacquiao's final dance partner before the Filipino boxing icon ventures out into the world of politics, something that stemmed from his sensational ninth round knockout win over Brandon Rios last month.

Even though Bradley seems honored, he did hint at possibly wanting a shot at Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto instead, according to a report from BoxingScene.com.

Aside from Bradley, the only other opponent in the running right now is Terence Crawford. Amir Khan was originally in the mix but Pacquiao's former sparring partner had already diverted his focus on facing fellow Brit Kell Brook for 2016.

Crawford, on the other hand, is the other fighter in the wings, although his camp is also ready in case the eight-time division champion Pacquiao opts to name Bradley as the final opponent for April. 

Bradley and Pacquiao are deadlocked at 1–1. Both squared off first in 2012 with Bradley taking a controversial split decision win at the time. Pacquiao would return in 2014 to hack a unanimous decision win, which somehow sent Bradley's career spiraling.

After disposing trainer Joel Diaz and hiring Teddy Atlas, the world saw a different Bradley against Rios. Bradley wasn't even among the candidates before that impressive performance and suddenly, he is the frontrunner.

Pacquiao's camp was originally expected to announce his final opponent last Friday but for some reason, such has been held off to early 2016.

The April 2016 tiff will be Pacquiao's swan song before he focuses on his political career in the coming Philippine National Elections, which will be held a month after the scheduled bout.