Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Fighting No-Name Boxer Is Big Mistake for Pac-Man

Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring on June 9th, and the fighter he chose to face will prove to be the worst decision of his career. 

It is quite evident now that Manny Pacquiao works for Bob Arum and not the other way around. Being the biggest name in the sport, you would think that the script may have been flipped by now. 

Instead, a no-name with great talent gets a huge payday at the hands of Manny Pacquiao. Only, this is no mere self-promotion of another newly-acquired top-rank boxer. This no-name has some bite. 

Before we continue, let's say that Pacquiao's opponent for June 9th does, of course, have a name. You passing fans just might not have heard it before. 

Timothy Bradley is a 140-pound dynamo with lightning in his gloves. He will have to come up in weight to meet Pacquiao, but that shouldn't lessen the gloves that are as quick as they come. 

The writing was all over that proverbial wall when Bradley fought on Pacquiao's undercard against 40-year-old southpaw Joel Casamayor. 

His eighth-round TKO was just the thing needed to put Bradley on the map—only it didn't. The current WBO Light Welterweight Champion and former two-time WBC Light Welterweight Champion needed a boost to make some money. 

When the fight against Floyd Mayweather fell through, Bob Arum noticed that he had the perfect solution for him, but not for boxing. 

Bradley was a surging talent that needed a big break. He would put up a good fight and not lay down on Pac-Man. More than that, he would have yet another marquee name to tout after Pacquiao's days are numbered. 

Arum, as we all know, works only for Arum. 

Pacquiao's legacy and proud name will take a hit as Money May continues to call him out, a humorous action considering Mayweather has been ducking Pacquiao for years. 

But we can forget about this legacy for a bit, because we have this faceless opponent headed our way. However, he has a face, and wouldn't you know it, a personality to go along with it. 

The eventual 24/7 will uncover for most fans that Bradley is one helluva guy, one you might even root for. 

We stand on the precipice of seeing a boxer that has no fanbase in February be a lovable underdog to the mighty Pacquiao by June. 

There is also the small case of Bradley and his speed, because Pacquiao can only really be pointed to death at this stage. 

I am not about to say Pacquiao is marching to his doom, but it will be closer than we all think, and that will make Mayweather a must-fight after this. 

Nothing makes sense in this fight. Oh, wait. Yes, it does, but only for Bob Arum. 

Follow @gabezal