By John F. McKenna (McJack): WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) will receive a guarantee of $25 million when he faces undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0-1 NC, 12 KO’s) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on June 9.

The $25 million guaranteed purse will be the largest of the Filipino icon’s career to date. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum had said last week that “Pacman” would earn the largest purse of his career for the Bradley fight, but at that time did not disclose the amount.

In his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao received a guaranteed $22 million, plus a share of the Pay Per View (PPV) sales, international broadcast rights and live gate receipts.

“Desert Storm” as Bradley is known to his fans will earn $5 million for the right to take on Pacquiao. The $5 million will be by far the most the 28 year old native of Palm Springs in Southern California has earned. Prior to Pacquiao, Bradley’s largest purse was approximately $1 million.

If the fight against Bradley does well financially Pacquiao could conceivably earn more than his guaranteed purse.

Manny has come a long way from the $40 thousand he earned in his U.S. debut as a substitute in 2001. In that fight, which also took place at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao fought as a super bantamweight at 122 pounds. Since that fight Manny has become an international icon winning championships in eight weight divisions.

Arum reported that Pacquiao will fly to the U.S. ahead of time to take part in a three city press tour which begins on February 21. After a press conference in Las Vegas the tour will travel to Los Angeles on February 21 and then to New York City on February 23.

Bradley has acknowledged that in taking on Pacquiao he is shooting for the stars. Already Pacquiao has been installed as a solid 5 – 1 favorite by the oddsmakers. Bradley exudes a great deal of confidence, which will serve him in good stead for what will be by far the hugest fight of his career.

Pacquiao has come under increasing criticism for taking on opponents who have appeared to be on the downward slope of their careers. Bradley at 28 is in his prime and there are many boxing fans who believe he will give Manny all he can handle.