Pacquiao vs. Bradley: 5 Factors That Make This Match Intriguing

Next weekend marks the return of Manny Pacquiao to the squared circle. He will defend his WBO welterweight title against Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Who will win this battle of established boxers?

Both men last fought in matches on November’s Pacquiao/Marquez III card, also at MGM.

Pacquiao successfully defended his title against Juan Manuel Marquez, while Bradley, the WBO light welterweight champion, also defended his title against Joel Cassamayor. 

With both men fresh off victories, they are looking forward to fighting each other for the WBO welterweight title. The boxing world and fans should be doing the same. 

Here are the top five factors that make Pacquiao vs. Bradley intriguing.

5. Undefeated

Timothy Bradley has a record of 28 wins, no losses, one no-contest and 12 knockouts. 

This is Bradley’s first true test in the boxing ring. Taking on a big name like Pacquiao is a huge opportunity for the 28-year-old boxer. 

A victory over Pacquiao could catapult him into the top of boxing’s lists. Bradley should take full advantage of this opportunity because opportunities like these don’t come often.

4. Pacquiao's Legacy

Pacquiao, 33, is in the prime of his boxing career. 

He is arguably the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. A victory would further cement that claim in many boxing fans’ eyes.

Beating the young Bradley would be another accomplishment for Pacquiao.

Maybe after his fight, he can move on to a certain “dream fight.”  

3. The Specter of Mayweather?

As long as both Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are still in boxing, their megafight will always be on boxing fans’ minds. 

Mayweather won his last fight against Miguel Cotto earlier this month. If Pacquiao wins, the proposed fight will still be discussed and speculated about to no end. If Bradley wins, kiss those dreams goodbye.  

Many fans should wonder if Mayweather will be watching this fight.   

2. Styles Make Fights

Bradley has a physical, aggressive style of fighting. 

The southpaw said in an interview with RingTV that he “goes for it” every time he’s in the ring. He boasts that fans love his style.

Pacquiao’s style is more passive. 

He tends to control fights with his speed and power, which has undeniably worked for him after his last loss in 2005. 

Pacquiao needs to control the fight to win. Bradley needs to finish Pacquiao as quickly as possible. 

Both styles clash easily, and it doesn’t favor Pacquiao if Bradley gets physical.

1. Experience vs. Appetite

Pacquiao has logged 59 fights in his career to Bradley’s 28. 

Experience heavily favors Pacquiao, especially since most of his fights have been main-event caliber. 

This is Bradley’s first main event against the current face of boxing. It’s a tall order, but Bradley’s hungry for this opportunity. 

Will Pacquiao’s experience outweigh the drive of Timothy Bradley? Will Bradley have the tools to hand Pacquiao his first loss since '05? 

One thing’s for sure: This title bout should be a classic for boxing fans.