Manny Pacquiao: Fight with Bradley Proves Bob Arum Is Hunting Next Meal Ticket

Manny Pacquiao's decline is apparent to most people, and that includes Bob Arum. That is precisely why he has positioned himself to capitalize, whether Pac-Man wins or loses when he faces Tim Bradley on June 9th.

Before you chalk this up as more "rat fink" behavior from Arum, understand this, it is just the nature of the business. Boxing is generally not a sport that renders a ton of longevity to its stars.

As a promoter, it is Arum's responsibility to scout and pounce on who he believes is next. In this situation, he has both horses in a two-horse race. 

Arum promotes both Bradley and Pacquiao, so he will have promotional control over the winner, regardless of the outcome. 

Bradley joined Arum's Top Rank Boxing promotions just prior to his November bout with Joel Casamayor. That fight was on the undercard of Pacquiao vs Marquez III. So as, some boxing fans were hoping for Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Pacquiao to battle this summer, Arum had already put the pieces in place for Pac-Man's next opponent.

Arum was careful not to promise Bradley that he would receive a shot at Pacquiao with a win in his Top Rank debut, but it was obviously in the back of his mind.

Bradley was the perfect Plan B in case the Mayweather-Pacquiao superfight didn't materialize.

Bradley was previously promoted by Shaw and Thompson, but he wanted more exposure and notoriety. As the 28-0, WBO light-welterweight champion, he seemed troubled that he was not better known. He said this to BoxingInsider.com:

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“I wanted to be with a real promoter,” Bradley said in his defense of getting away from Shaw and Thompson. He has one less promotional fee to pay, the WBC, when they stripped him. “I thought it was funny the way they stripped me, the only way they could get the championship away from me. They know how to promote,” he added about Top Rank.

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It appears Arum's acquisition of Bradley could have been designed to have the welterweight title decided between two Top Rank fighters.

It may seem to some as though Arum is playing both fighters against one another, but in reality, his only allegiance is to himself. Promoters have one responsibility, and that is to make money by riding the best fighters.

As questionable as it may be to anticipate the demise of a fighter he promotes, it is a necessary evil.

Pacquiao is on the decline, and his days as a major draw are numbered. If now is the time for him to fall off, Arum is there to benefit from the legend's collapse by controlling the direction of the wrecking ball.

If he is wrong or premature in predicting Manny's decline, he still has control over Pacquiao.

It's a great job of positioning by Arum, either way he wins and, in the end, that is what it's all about.