Pacquiao vs. Bradley Rematch: Why Another Bout Is Great for Boxing

The best thing the sport of boxing could do for itself right now is hype up the eventual rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley as much as possible.

This fight needs to be billed as the fight that will end all fights. Boxing seriously needs a pick-me-up right now, and like it or not, this rematch is going to be huge for the sport.

Listen, let's give credit to where it is due. Many (most) may not agree with the split decision by the judges that gave the edge to "Desert Storm" Bradley, but in the end he was the winner. He did enough to get himself the win, just as Pacquiao ultimately didn't do enough to assure that he wouldn't lose.

That said, take one look at your Twitter feed from last night and you'll see one common theme: outrage.

Bradley put himself in position to win the fight, but most watching felt that Pacquiao was the deserving winner. When you consider that Pac-Man landed 253 punches to Bradley's 159 and 190 power shots to Bradley's 108, it's hard to argue against their outrage.

Most think Manny got jobbed. Some even suggest that the fight could have been rigged. However you look at it, this is not what boxing needed.

At this point there is not much the sport can do besides move forward though, so they would be wise to put this bout aside and look ahead to the rematch—no matter the thoughts on it. We know that there is a rematch clause already in play for Pacquiao, and we already know that Nov. 10 seems to be the day that we'll see Pacquiao vs. Bradley II.

If the rematch is anything near the first fight, it's bound to be good. But then, add in the emotions of the controversial split decision and the fact that before Bradley, Pacquiao seemed unstoppable, and we've got the makings of a legendary bout.

It could also serve as a huge answer to a lot of questions.

If Pacquiao comes out and cleanly beats Bradley—either by knockout or unanimous decision—then we can chalk it up as a form of redemption, and Pac-Man is back on top of the boxing world. If Bradley beats Pac-Man again though, we'd have no choice but to start acknowledging the end of Pacquiao's era of dominance, and start looking forward to a brand new one from Bradley.

Either way you chalk it up, a second bout between these two fighters can only be good for the sport.

In fact, at this point, it would be great.