Manny Pacquiao: Where Bradley Will Rank Among Pac-Man's Greatest Opponents

Still unable to arrange a showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Manny Pacquiao will take on light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas in June. 

No matter how this fight turns out, this is not the fight that everyone wants to see.  Boxing fans want to see Mayweather and Pacquiao battle it out.    

Bradley is arguably one of the top boxers pound-for-pound in the world.  He will put his undefeated record of 28-0 (12 KOs) on the line when he matches up with Pacquiao.  Although his record is spotless, Bradley has not faced anyone close to Pacquiao’s stature.  Before the June 9 fight begins, he will be forced to move up into Pac-Man’s weight class.

With Bradley coming into the showdown undefeated, where does he rank among Pacquiao’s opponents?

Juan Manuel Marquez

At the top of the list, Juan Manuel Marquez is arguably the toughest boxer Manny Pacquiao has ever faced.  Marquez’s career record of 54-6-1(39 KOs) is impressive to say the least.  One of his losses came at the hands of Mayweather after a 12 round fight.

Although he never beat Pacquiao, Marquez had a record of 0-2-1 against him in three close meetings over a span of five years.  The fights could have gone either way with both fighters being so evenly matched.  A fourth meeting may be in the works for later this year.  If a deal can be negotiated, another epic battle between these two may occur. 

Erik Morales

As one of three boxers to beat Pacquiao, it’s tough to not put Erik Morales at the top of this list. Realistically, we can reverse the top two spots and not get many complaints.  The reason he isn’t at the top is his inability to have consistent battles with Pacquiao.  On March 19, 2005, he defeated Pacquiao by a unanimous decision.  Pacquiao got his revenge 10 months later and knocked Morales out in Round 10. 

In their final fight nine months later, Morales was knocked out in Round 3.  His career was winding down by the time they met for a third time, and he was unable to keep up with Pacquiao.  He finished his career with a record of 52-8 (32 KOs) and will be known as one of the only boxers to beat Pac-Man. 

Miguel Cotto

As the only one on this list to face Mayweather and Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto gets credit for challenging the top boxers.  So far in his career, he has won four world championships in three different weight divisions, but appears to be past his prime. With a record of 37-3 (30 KOs), he has been defeated one time outside of Mayweather and Pacquiao.

When Cotto took on Pacquiao in 2009, he was still in his prime.  The two were evenly matched through the first couple rounds before Pacquiao eventually took control of the fight.  The fight proved to be a huge success as Pacquiao’s victory over Cotto started the buzz about a potential fight with Mayweather.        

Timothy Bradley

Timothy Bradley has an advantage over Pacquiao in one way.  At 33, Pacquiao has been a part of twice as many fights as the 28-year-old Bradley.  The youthful Bradley will need to use his quick hands to have any chance in this fight.  He can try to draw this fight out and wear Pacquiao down by defending punches.

Bradley should also be motivated by his first major opponent and will use it as motivation to make a statement.  A win over Pacquiao would help Bradley’s career and make him one of the top boxers in the world. 

Antonio Margarito

Rounding out the top five boxers Manny Pacquiao has faced is Antonio Margarito.  His 38-8 (27 KOs) record is good, but Margarito had a controversial issue at one point in his career.  In a 2009 fight with Shane Mosley, he was accused of plastering his hands in order to gain an advantage.  He claimed he did not have anything to do with it while his trainer admitted to making the mistake of tampering with the handwraps. 

Margarito defeated Cotto in 2008, but there was also controversy with Margarito’s handwraps in that fight.  When he fought Pacquiao in 2010, he lasted 12 rounds, but was overmatched.  After the fight, he went to the hospital after suffering a fractured orbital bone.

Bradley has the potential to climb up this list but needs to prove himself against Pacquiao.  Bradley is young and could take over as one of the most dominant boxers in the game.  He will get his chance to get a statement win and perhaps start an ongoing rivalry with Pacquiao.

Does Bradley have a chance against Pacquiao?

Only time will tell.

Boxing can hope this showdown turns into a classic and makes everyone forget all about a Mayweather versus Pacquiao fight.