Pacquiao vs. Bradley: Why Manny Pacquiao Must Win to Continue Stellar Legacy

Manny Pacquiao is one of the most decorated pugilists in recent history and of all time. He’s accomplished nearly every possible achievement in the sport and has barely any blemishes on his record. That is why a loss to a relatively unproven, albeit undefeated, Timothy Bradley would hurt how he is remembered in boxing lore.

Pac-Man has just three losses and two draws in his entire career, with his last defeat coming in a decision against Erik Morales back in 2005. He avenged his shortcoming not once, but on two separate occasions via TKO and KO.

He drew against Juan Manuel Marquez back in 2004 and subsequently fought to two decisions over his tough foe.

Many publications and authorities feel that the Filipino is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, and he’s definitely got the resume.

The 33-year-old is the only eight-division world champion and the lineal champion in four different weight classes. He’s got 54 wins under his belt, with 38 of them coming by a knockout.

Perhaps the only thing that is incomplete in Pac-Man’s career is a bout, and victory, against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Money Mayweather fights in the same weight classes and is widely regarded as the only equal to Pacquiao. He’s undefeated and constantly talks trash to Pac, but the two parties have not been able to agree to a much-anticipated fight.

If they eventually do, it won’t amount to much if Pacquiao suffers a loss against Bradley. It would destroy the luster that the hypothetical fight currently has and completely tilt the scales in Mayweather’s favor.

If Pac-Man wants to be remembered as the best fighter of this generation, he has to beat Bradley and then take on Mayweather.