Pacquiao vs Bradley: Pacman's Oft-Injured Eye Will Be Center of Attention

The career of Manny Pacquiao has been nearly perfect.

The 33-year-old is an eight-time division champion and has racked up a 54-2 record with 38 KOs. He is as untouchable as you can be in this brutal sport.

But even the untouchable can be touched in boxing.

In his last two bouts against Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, he has finished the match with a huge cut over his right eye.  In November against Marquez, an accidental headbutt opened up a gash that ended up being an inch and a half long. It was the main concern with trainers between rounds and it looked pretty awful after the fight.

Tim Bradley is next in line to try and take out the champ and will be going up in weight class to do so. He recently made comments that make it sound like he’s ready to take full advantage of what he calls a “weakness” (via New York Times):

"

He can be beat. I just need to get in there and follow my game plan. I know his weaknesses, his favorite combinations. In my mind, I'm definitely going to win. I'll take it to this guy. Look, Marquez had Pacquiao's number, and Marquez is 38 and past his prime. I'm younger, stronger and faster than Marquez.

"

He doesn’t come out and say what exactly this so-called weakness is, but it’s pretty easy to read between the lines. Blurring the vision of Pacman would be an incredible advantage for Bradley now that he seems to tire earlier and his punches aren’t as sharp.

Watching Pacquiao-Marquez live, I thought there was no doubt Marquez won. He was getting countered to death before a strong flurry of wild punches in the end bailed him out. Pacman can be beat and focusing on his eye is the way to go.

Bradley has incredibly quick hands and is five years younger.

This fight is going to be a much closer than most people think.