Mayweather vs Pacquiao: Why Superfight Won't Save Boxing After Bradley Decision

Floyd "Money" Mayweather versus Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao would be one of the most watched fights in recent years, bringing boxing back to its day when superfights between the best boxers in the world were commonplace. Regardless, this superfight would be incapable of saving boxing after the Timothy Bradley/Pacquiao decision.

After arguably the most controversial decision in boxing history saw Bradley defeat Pacquiao in a split decision, there has been much to say about the event.

Pacquiao, one of the best fighters in boxing history, versus Bradley, a darn good boxer in his own right but still the underdog, was thought to be an easy decision when the match was over.

Pacquiao outpunched Bradley by an absurd margin (253 to 159) and Pacquiao landed more total punches in 10 of the 12 rounds.

Each of the three judges scored the fight 115-113, with CJ Ross and Duane Ford giving Bradley the edge. Jerry Roth was the only judge in favor of Pacquiao.

Here's what Top Rank's president had to say about the decision:

"

@BobArum: I want 2 congratulate Tim Bradley. But I want to say for myself I've never been as ashamed with the sport of boxing as I am 2night

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 10, 2012"

The outcome was so controversial that the Nevada State Athletic Commission plans on reviewing the video of Bradley's so-called victory, according to Ring TV.

While the results of the fight won't actually be changed, the review will bring some clarity to an otherwise unclear situation.

With all the controversy and unsettlement surrounding this match and the sport of boxing at this point in time, it's unlikely that the proposed superfight between Mayweather and Pacquiao will save boxing.

Mayweather, 43-0 with 26 KOs, and Pacquiao, 54-4 with two draws and 38 KOs, would undoubtedly be an exciting fight.

The fight itself has been rumored for several years now, and if any fight could live up to the hype, this one would be it.

Regardless of the hype, the superfight couldn't possibly save the sport after the Bradley debacle.

The sport lost a ton of credibility after the decision went down. Top Rank's president again had something to say, this time bashing the three judges on-hand at the fight.

"

@BobArum: I don't think anything was happening here except these people don't know how to score. They really don't. #PacBradley

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 10, 2012"

While the fight was in no way, shape or form a "match of the century" type of bout, one of the sport's best boxers was competing. In a situation like that, the best three judges in the sport should be on hand for the match.

Now, I'm not saying that they should have had "homer" judges. Even still, they should have had judges competent enough to score the fight fairly.

Pacquiao was the clear favorite in the fight and, after the match concluded, seemed to be the obvious winner.

In a sport that is quickly losing viewers and fans for various different reasons, having such a controversial decision like they did this weekend can only do the sport harm.

Also, the window for such a fight is quickly closing. With both boxers in their 30s, there's only so much time left before the fight loses its luster. We've been waiting for the fight for years. It will eventually get to the point where we just don't want to wait anymore.

At this point, the fight could not happen until 2013. That time is still unlikely, as there could still be a rematch of Pacquiao/Bradley (Pacquiao owns a rematch clause).

Whether or not we see Pacquiao/Mayweather in the future still remains to be seen but, in reality, it really doesn't matter.

Boxing seems to be a lost cause at this point, and the decision to crown Bradley the champion proves just that.