Mayweather out; Manny takes on Bradley

MANILA, Philippines - At least for now, Manny Pacquiao is done chasing Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Filipino superstar, according to a reliable source, has decided to face Timothy Bradley in a rematch which Top Rank chief Bob Arum has set on April 12 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao had gone on record a couple of times the past few days he wants Mayweather. He said he’s willing to fight the American for charity.

Mayweather did not respond to Pacquiao’s latest challenge although recently he talked about Pacquiao a lot, teasing and making fun of the Filipino boxer.

Mayweather will return to the ring on May 3 against either Amir Khan or Marcos Maidana. He’s looking at three more fights and said the one in September 2015 will be his last.

Pacquiao is facing tax woes in the United States and the Philippines, and Mayweather said the former is so desperate to fight him because it was the only way to solve his problems.

Pacquiao, according to the source, has already decided to take on Bradley next, choosing the undefeated American over Russian beast Ruslan Provodnikov.

The source said the formal announcement will come in the next few days.

If the 35-year-old beats Bradley in their rematch, then he can take on Provodnikov by the end of the year.

And on the side, Pacquiao might continue to challenge Mayweather.

Pacquiao is coming off an impressive victory over Brandon Rios last November in Macau.

His chief adviser, Mike Koncz, said Pacquiao wants to do two fights this year and two more next year before seriously considering retirement.

How they can make Mayweather agree to the fight until the end of 2015 is the challenge for Pacquiao and his handlers.

Bradley defeated Pacquiao on points in June of 2012. But the victory was put in question because a lot of people thought the Filipino won the fight.

Earlier this month, Pacquiao said he prefers Bradley over the other candidates because he wanted to avenge the controversial defeat and win back the WBO welterweight title.

Pacquiao also said he doesn’t want to face Provodnikov, his sparring partner, while the Russian is just building up his name.