World welterweight champion Timothy Bradley will make his long-awaited return to the ring next month.

Bradley, who hasn't fought since his controversial win over Manny Pacquiao last June, will defend his WBO belt against Ruslan Provodnikov on March 16.

His manager Cameron Dunkin admitted that the fight is not the showcase that they would have liked, but all parties are happy with the deal.

"I negotiated the purse," said Dunkin. "We came up with a number that wasn't ideal, but both sides could live with.

"Tim was willing to live with it because he wants to fight. Everyone feels like this fight will happen.

"It's an entertaining fight because this guy brings it. He comes hard and Tim comes hard. It should be a terrific fight."

There had been talk of a rematch with Pacquiao, but the Filipino opted to fight Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time instead.

Provodnikov is a former sparring partner of Pacquiao, and there are rumours that Freddie Roach will train him for the fight against Bradley.