Manny Pacquiao: Win or Lose, Pac-Man Needs to Retire

Manny Pacquiao must retire after tonight's fight against Timothy Bradley rather than wait, at least, another year for "Pretty Boy" Floyd to lace up his gloves in the opposite corner.

Pacquiao has experienced the peak of his boxing reign. He's held championship belts in eight different divisions, and he hasn't lost a fight since 2005.

Things will not get better than that. Pac-Man is 33 years old and accomplished all there is to accomplish. Granted, he will fight from Mayweather's shadow unless the two eventually square off, but there is nothing he can do about that.

Let's take a look at why Pacquiao should hang up his gloves after this WBO Welterweight championship bout.

Another Long Layoff

Pacquiao hasn't fought since his controversial victory over Juan Manuel Marquez in December of last year. After tonight's fight, he will probably have to wait at least that long.

Fighting one fight a year is normal for a boxer, especially an aging fighter, but Pacquiao shouldn't endure another long layoff. Idleness and extra training is not the recipe for beating the faster Mayweather.

Pacquiao's handlers need to advise him to walk away instead of waiting around for Mayweather to be released from jail, train again and finally give in to fighting the Filipino sensation.

Up until this year, Pac-Man has fought, at least, two fights a year since 1995. That will not happen this year unless he squeezes another fight in between now and January.

That is highly unlikely, and an even worse idea than waiting for Mayweather to stop playing games.

A Fitting Conclusion Either Way

Pacquiao's career will come to a fitting end regardless of tonight's outcome.

If he emerges victorious, Pacquiao will have a chance to walk away from boxing as one of the sport's all-time greatest, and most versatile, performers.

Finishing with a career 55-3 mark, and at least 38 knockouts, is nothing to shake your fist at. Being boxing's only eight-division world champion is even better.

Why would you want to taint that winning legacy by continuing? Beating the up-and-coming Bradley would be the ultimate halt to Pac-Man's legacy.

If Bradley pulls the upset in front of the MGM Grand crowd, Pacquiao should also walk away. He should think of it as a sign of changing times or passing a torch, whichever he prefers.

A loss to Bradley would confirm Pacquiao's age concerns, and bring doubt into his future. If he can't defeat Bradley, how could we expect him to battle with the world's top pound-for-pound fighter?

We couldn't, at least not realistically.

Recently, Pacquiao's personality has been questioned by promoter Bob Arum. He has made questionable remarks to the media, and appears ready to pursue a political career.

Overall, he is not the same boxer. His mind may be elsewhere, and maybe that isn't a bad thing.

All good things eventually come an end. You can only hope they come to a meaningful, and fitting, conclusion.

Pacquiao needs to make the right choice here. Fight Bradley, and let the bell's final toll signal the end of the match along with his decorated career.