Pacquiao vs Bradley: Shocking Defeat Won't Harm Pac-Man's Legacy

It came as a surprise to most of those watching that Manny Pacquiao was spurned with his first defeat in seven years, but the loss won't derail Pac-Man's career and will do nothing to define his legacy.

Timothy Bradley shocked the world in the biggest fight of his career, winning the split decision in very controversial fashion.

Pacquiao handled it as well as he could have. With arguably the biggest disappointment of his star-studded career hanging over him, he dealt with the media and post-fight antics with a smile on his face and said all of the right things.

He's been questioned by many in the boxing world about his new spiritual awakening and how it could affect his fighting style and intensity. But he showed none of that in this bout with Bradley.

After a few lethargic outings in the past few years, most notably with Juan Manuel Marquez in the MGM Grand, he showcased brilliant firepower and the exciting style that caused so many Americans to fall in love with Manny Pacquiao and hoist him up as one of boxing's greats.

He did this, somehow, in losing fashion. 

Boxing has seen the face of its game shift from the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao himself. The last thing it needed was for one of its biggest stars to be brought down in the way that it did. 

But Pacquiao will rebound. He's proven to us time and time again that he can and will rebound. 

Whether he lost or not, Saturday's fight was the beginning of his rebound, as he's been finding his way back to his game. He was quicker in the ring than we've seen from him since 2009, and he brushed off the thoughts of many that he should retire.

A rematch has been evident ever since the decision was announced last night, and it will be just the thing Pacquiao needs to hush his doubters and prove he's still worthy and ready to fight Mayweather.

If anyone can do it, it'd be Manny Pacquiao.