Manny Pacquiao: Loss Puts Chances of Floyd Mayweather Bout on Thin Ice

The fight that boxing has been waiting for years to see is on life support.

Just a few months ago, it seemed like it wasn't a matter of "if," but "when" Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather would ever face off in the ring. Both fighters have repeatedly expressed that it's at the top of their priorities, and that they'd be willing to make adjustments in the deal to make it happen.

But the unthinkable happened.

I'm not sure which one was more shocking: Mayweather's charges and jail sentence or Pacquiao's controversial defeat at the hands of Timothy Bradley on Saturday. But both events have nearly pushed the chances of facing off against one another out of reach. 

Mayweather wasn't able to watch the Pacquiao-Bradley fight because he was in jail, but there's no doubting that he's heard the news now and is celebrating what he may think is the fall of boxing's other great presence. 

Pacquiao seemed like he got his fighting game back in Saturday night's fight with Bradley, dominating the undefeated boxer in almost every round and showing that he was the superior talent in the ring. But a loss means that a rematch is a must and the November 10 date is starting to stick. 

Already 35 years old and not getting any younger, Mayweather is stuck in a jail cell for most of the day and cannot get the adequate training he needs to retain his greatness. Sure, he can work out and stay in shape, but it won't be what he's used to. 

Mayweather could get out early on his three-month jail sentence, which would give him time to get back to the swing of things and focus on a fight with Pacquiao or whoever else he chooses. But the chances of a fight between two boxers who seem to be escaping their prime very slowly is fading away.

Another loss to Bradley in November would all but seal the fate of Pacquiao's career and prove to the world that he's not worthy of fighting Mayweather. 

We've seen athletes return to greatness after spending time in jail (Mike Vick), and we've also seen athletes who were unable to return to their pre-sentence form (Plaxico Burress). It's unclear which path Mayweather will be taking, but being 35 years of age and having a lot of miles on him could be the X-factor in his struggles to stay as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. 

Whatever happens, it's safe to say that both Pacquiao and Mayweather are putting the chances of a fight ever occurring on thin ice.