Manny Pacquiao: Why Pac-Man Must Win to Repair Image

Next month will define Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career.

Before we dive into why his image needs to be repaired, let’s be clear: I’m not talking about his image as a person.

Obviously his incredible generosity and willingness to take on a position in the Philippines government makes him much more of a philanthropist than Floyd Mayweather. No argument there.

I’m talking about his reputation in the ring, his ability to still call himself the best that boxing has to offer.

Last November, Pacquiao registered an incredibly mediocre performance against Juan Manuel Marquez. He wasn’t aggressive, didn’t land any big punches and seemed almost disinterested at times. Many boxing experts scored the bout in favor of Marquez and were shocked to see Pac-Man come away with the victory. The MGM crowd booed when the decision was announced.

People openly questioned whether the judges fixed the match.

Since then the only news Pacquiao has produced in the boxing world is that he still can’t agree to terms with a super fight against Mayweather. In other words, in the past six months, Manny has produced one iffy fight and more bad news regarding a bout with Money May.

That needs to change when he steps into the ring against Tim Bradley next month.

He needs a strong performance to reaffirm the fans’ belief that Pacquiao can beat the undefeated Money May. On Saturday he finally flew to the states from the Philippines to begin training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, CA.  

And wouldn’t you know it, he is already pissing of his trainer Freddie Roach.

Pac-Man skipped a training session on Wednesday and it led to this exchange with the media (via mydesert.com): “When you come back, tell him Tim Bradley doesn't miss a day.”

This isn’t what we have become accustomed to hearing out of Pacquiao’s camp. The best boxer of the last decade and today's fourth most influential athlete (according to Forbes) is held to higher expectations than everybody else.

So, you want to hear stories about Pacquiao’s incredible training regimen. You want to hear how he plans to destroy this up-and-comer that has been talking too much trash for such a less accomplished boxer. You don’t want to hear about how he had a hit single that got up to 19 on the Billboard charts.

There is some serious work to do if Pacquiao plans on repairing his boxing image; it all culminates in a convincing win over Bradley.

If he pulls it off, all is forgiven. The anticipation for the fight of the decade will remain at a feverish pitch. 

But another controversial decision or a loss will end the Mayweather-Pacquiao argument.

The future of the biggest fight of the last 15 years hinges on the actions of one man on June 9th.

No pressure Pac-Man. 

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