MANILA, Philippines - Undefeated junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. believes Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is fighting him in order to silence critics.

Bradley signed a $5-million contract to fight Pacquiao on June 9 at the MGM Grand. He was among the five boxers being considered for a bout against the Filipino icon, along with Lamont Peterson, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather.

The undefeated Bradley (28-0, 12 knockouts) ended up as the winner of the Pacquiao sweepstakes after potential deals with Mayweather and Cotto fell through.

"I think he chose me to silence the critics," Bradley said in an interview with Boxing Scene. "I think that my name has been rumored around his camp for now."

Bradley fought in the undercard of Pacquiao's trilogy bout against Marquez last November, defeating Joel Casamayor via an eighth-round technical knockout.

Pacquiao has not been his usual impressive self in his two bouts in 2011, failing to knockout Shane Mosley in May and barely defeating Marquez when they fought.

Bradley said Pacquiao chose to fight him because he was a young, undefeated fighter in his prime, unlike his previous opponents.

"I think that he finally decided, let's give Bradley a shot and that he will have a live dog in there with him," he said.

In a separate interview with RingTV, Bradley said, "Pacquiao hasn't fought anyone as young and hungry like I am in a long time."

Boxing analysts believe that Bradley will present a tough challenge for Pacquiao, given the boxer's tendency for leading with his head.

"I am rough in there and I'm not afraid to mix it up," Bradley said. "I know he's physical, too, but he hasn't seen anyone like me in a long time."

Bradley holds the World Boxing Organization junior welterweight belt and will have to move up to the 147-pound division for the fight against Pacquiao.