Pacquiao vs. Rios 2013: What Losing Would Mean for Each Boxer's Career

Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach wasn't shy about revealing that a bad showing from Pac-Man against Brandon Rios on Saturday in Macao could mean that this will be the last fight of Pac-Man's brilliant career. 

Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO) is a big underdog. Bovada has him at +350. A loss would be far from the end of the 27-year-old's career. It's expected.

Still, it would be a huge blow to Rios in his attempt to transition from accomplished fighter to star. 

Obviously, the fate of Pac-Man is the bigger story. 

Despite two straight losses, Pacquiao remains one of the biggest draws in the sport. At 34, Pacquiao hasn't looked as lethal as he was for the majority of the last decade. However, he hasn't been all that far off. 

Pacquiao looked good against Timothy Bradley in June of last year. He slowed a bit at the end of the fight, but in the eyes of many, he was the rightful winner of a fight that the judges' decision handed to his opponent.

Judges were not a factor in his next fight. Pacquiao was leveled by a vicious counterpunch from Juan Manuel Marquez. To see Pac-Man out cold was stunning, but prior to that blow, he was in good form.

Combine that with the fact Roach has been impressed with Pacquiao's training and I have a hard time seeing Pacquiao coming out with a performance bad enough to usher him into retirement.

What is a greater concern for Pacquiao is that his billing as a top draw will vanish should he lose a third consecutive bout. There will still be interest in Pacquiao, but not at this level. A fight with Floyd Mayweather will be an even remote possibility than it is now.

A loss would mean Pac-Man would be staring at the prospect of booking a bout with another slumping veteran or up-and-coming fighter. 

Pacquiao's earning power will be decimated. Not that he will be fighting for pennies, but it will be more in the ballpark of Rios' take for this fight:

As for Rios, he is coming off of the first loss of his professional career. 

That fight was a rematch with Mike Alvarado. Rios won the first one with a stoppage and then lost the second on a decision. Both fights were entertaining, and at some point, I imagine a third fight will go down in that rivalry. That will not be dependent upon the outcome of Rios' bout with Pacquiao. 

Still, what is going to hurt Rios is that he's piled up an ultra-impressive record, but not against any elite fighters. If he is handled by Pacquiao in his first mega fight, fans are going to write Rios off as a talented yet not-quite-elite fighter. 

This is a big opportunity for Rios. He has to seize the moment if he wants to take his career to the next level. Meanwhile, Pacquiao needs a strong performance to avoid taking his career to the next level...retirement.