Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Pac-Man Needs Dominant Performance Against Desert Storm

Manny Pacquiao's boxing career is fading, and if he wants to maintain his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world he must have a dominant performance against Timothy Bradley Jr. on June 9. 

There was a time when Pacquiao could enter the ring blindfolded and have nothing to worry about. His instincts, speed and power were no match for anyone. He could pepper you with jabs for 12 rounds to beat his opponent into submission. 

That was not the case in his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Even going back to Shane Mosley, he has not had the same presence in the ring that he once did. 

The Mosley fight is forgivable since Sugar was there to collect a paycheck and didn't want to do anything. But the Marquez fight was an eye-opener in many ways. Pacquiao's speed was neutralized, his punches weren't as crisp and his defense was weak. 

Bradley does not have the name cache that casual fans were looking for—going from Floyd Mayweather to this was bound to have fans up in arms. 

That doesn't mean Bradley doesn't have what it takes to challenge Pacquiao and expose his flaws. He has beaten several good fighters on his way up the ladder, including Lamont Peterson. He begged for this fight with Pacquiao because he smells blood in the water. 

Bradley wants to make a name for himself, while Pacquiao can't afford another lackluster performance. The critics are ready to proclaim Pac-Man over the hill thanks to the Marquez fight. His only chance to salvage his reputation is to dominate the man known as "Desert Storm."

Winning should be the only thing that matters, but we all know that's not the truth. Pacquiao has to show the fire and passion that made him the most dominant boxer in the world from 2005-2010.

He has to knockout Bradley, or at least make his face look the same way that Antonio Margarito's did after their 12-round clash in November 2010. 

There are times when just getting a decision from the judges is not good enough, and this is one of those instances for Pacquiao. For his sake, he needs to overwhelm the younger Bradley and show the world he is still king of the boxing ring. 

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