Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Why Knockout Would Elevate Bradley to Legendary Status

Some don't expect Timothy Bradley to compete, let alone win in his June 9 bout with Manny Pacquiao, but how legendary would Desert Storm become if he stops Pac-Man?

This would be a career-defining victory, and no matter what he accomplishes from here on out, he would be known as the man that stopped Pacquiao.

Pacquiao has been knocked out twice before. The first time was this devastating one-punch KO at the hands of Rustico Torrecampo in 1996, and the second time was in 1999 versus Medgoen Singsurat. And Pac-Man has been down since those fights, but not knocked out. If Bradley, a fighter who has been regarded as a weak puncher (12 KOs in 28 fights), knocks Pacquiao out, it would be stunning.

As surprising as it would be, I don't believe it impossible. It is unlikely it would be from a one-hitter-quitter like the punch Torrecampo landed, but a late TKO or KO from cumulative punishment and exhaustion is possible.

Bradley is a tough fighter who is always in great shape. He is 28 years old, in his prime and hungry for a victory over an elite opponent.

Pacquiao is 33 years old, and he hasn't looked his best in his past three fights. He seemed to tire a bit at the end of the Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez fights, and the vaunted Pacquiao power has also subsided. Pac-Man hasn't stopped an opponent since 2009 when he scored a 12th-round TKO over Miguel Cotto.

If Bradley is to win this fight he must make it a sloppy, in-fighting exhibition. If he does this he could wear Pacquiao down and create opportunities for himself.

If Bradley stops Pacquiao it won't exactly be the equivalent of Frankie Randall's KO victory over Julio Cesar Chavez, as Randall was more of an unknown, but it would certainly be the most stunning victory in boxing in recent memory.

Some boxing fans will say Pacquiao is finished, and Bradley didn't beat the real Pac-Man. There may be some truth to this, but almost every legendary fighter's career ends or takes that bad turn with a loss.

Generally, the fighter that defeats the legend gains notoriety. Bradley is already 28-0 and a legitimate prizefighter—he has already been validated. This would not be a fluke victory by an unknown who was fortunate to fight a great fighter at the right time (like Antonio Tarver over Roy Jones, Jr.).

This victory would make Bradley truly elite and ready for more major paydays in the sport.

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