Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Pac-Man Has Something to Prove Against Desert Storm

Some have questions whether or not Manny Pacquiao is running out of steam after a lackluster majority decision win against Juan Manuel Marquez in November. The world's top pound-for-pound fighter will have something to prove when he steps into the ring against the undefeated Timothy Bradley on June 9. 

Pacquiao wants to prove he's still the best fighter in the world, and by facing Bradley, who is 28-0 with 12 knockouts, he will be matching up with one of the world's best young fighters. Pac-Man has rededicated himself for this matchup and apparently is completely focused on beating the young fighter known as "Desert Storm."

The night before his loss to Marquez, Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, served him with divorce papers. Everyone in the Filipino southpaw's camp agrees he was completely distracted when he got in the ring with Marquez. Having watched the replay of that fight since learning of that distraction, it was clearly obvious to me that Pacquiao's focus was not there. 

Since that time, Pac-Man has rededicated himself to his wife and his religion and has rid himself of the many distractions that used to circulate around his life. Pacquiao used to relish late nights with his entourage, playing poker and pool. In the article linked above, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum claims Pacquiao looks different, less tired and more focused.

If it's true that Pacquiao was coping with a lot of distractions over the past few years, then his streak of 15 straight wins (with eight stoppages) is even more remarkable. He has blitzed through some of boxing's biggest names all while being distracted.

Now that he is refocused on boxing and has something to prove against Bradley, Pacquiao's performance on June 9 could revitalize his career.