Pacquiao vs. Marquez: 10 Bold Predictions for Pacquiao's Next Superfight

Obviously, Pacquiao can only have another superfight if he wins on Saturday.  That is a given, even if victory isn't.

However, if Pacquiao does win then the Filipino icon will most likely get in the ring again.  If he does, there are a number of opponents he could take.

If he beats Marquez, though, there seems to be a better than average chance that these things will happen.

Here are the top 10 predictions for Pacquiao's next superfight after Marquez.

Pacquiao Will Beat Marquez This Saturday to Set Up His Next Fight

This had to be the first slide.  Without a definitive win over Marquez any other predictions are meaningless.  It may be a close fight, or it may be a blowout, but Pacquiao will leave the arena with a win.

It's just a guess, but Marquez seems a little too small and a little too worn to take on Pacquiao.  Where as Pacquiao has come out of every fight looking fresh, Marquez is only a little ways removed from the beating he took from the larger Mayweather.

The fight will probably go the distance, but Marquez just might be a little too old to push the pace and tag Pacquiao with counters like he did in the past.

On Pac-Man's part, he may have just evolved to much for Marquez to be able to pull the same tricks on him.  He is a far different fighter from the first time they fought and even the second time they squared off.

It will show when he steps between the ropes tomorrow night.

Pacquiao-Bradley Will Be Announced After the Fight

If Pacquiao wins, this is the fight that is going to be made by Bob Arum.  Bradley is young, fast, undefeated, but most importantly he is another Top Rank fighter, so it keeps everything in-house for Arum.

That way he doesn't have to split the profits with anyone else and can make as much revenue as he wants.

Bradley doesn't deserve the fight, but he isn't totally without merit as an opponent.  He has fought and beaten decent opposition.  That isn't the reason the fight would be made, but it certainly makes the fight worth talking about.

As for the fans that wanted to see Mayweather-Pacquiao...

Before Contracts Are Signed, There Will Be Talks with Mayweather

Even though Bob Arum will waste no time in announcing Pacquiao-Bradley, the truth is that he loves money, even if he hates Mayweather.

When it comes down to it there is no bigger fight in boxing and no way that Arum will make more money than he would with Pacquiao-Mayweather.  Yet again the fighters and promoters will come together and try to sort things out.

Even though Arum and Mayweather have let animosity and emotions ruin several chances for this fight to take place, and in this humble writer's opinion taken some of the shine and buzz off this fight, they still have to know that it is the best financial choice for them.

Even if they would rather do other things, they will still meet to see if the fight can be salvaged.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight Will Happen

The fight will end up getting made.  

No matter how big the egos of the people involved are, the amount of money they could make is larger still.  For a man like Mayweather, who threw away the name "Pretty Boy Floyd" to take on the moniker "Money," the fight has to be made.

It would be irresponsible of all of parties involved if they didn't make this fight happen.  Not because they should care about the fans, because they don't, but because they love money and this fight will get them large amounts of it.

There have been big enough egos in boxing to turn down potential megafights and lose the money they would have made, but never have they been one of this caliber.

And so boxing fans will finally get the fight we have been dying to see, even though they will have to wait a year for it to happen.

The Fight Will Take Place in Las Vegas

No matter what fans want to see, this fight is going to end up in Nevada.

Even though fans would love to see a fight like this take place in a massive stadium, there is just no way for anyone to compete with the casino's offers.

That is because big fights in casinos attract high-rollers who will probably spend millions of dollars on the casino's slots and card tables.  They will make all of their money back before the fight even takes place and still more after it.

The casino's know this and so even though their venues are vastly smaller than anything a stadium will bring, they will offer up a bigger site fee.

Since the fight will be made not for the love of the fans but for the love of money, they will choose a venue that gets them the most cash possible.

They will choose a casino.

Boxing Fans Will Not Be the Ones Who Get the Tickets

Between scalpers, celebrities and high-rollers, there won't be many tickets left for true boxing fans.  A Filipino contingent will arrive to see Pacquiao, but most won't get into the building.

There has been a running problem in boxing with ticket scalpers and fans not being able to see fights, one that deserves a look into at a future date, but it is terrible with casinos.

Part of the problem is the fact that the casino gets some of tickets to entice their big gamblers to come in and spend money while also using some to sell package deals.

Then scalpers and secondary ticket sellers get a number of tickets to sell themselves.

Finally a portion is sold to the fans.

It's not the best system in place and it's something that boxing needs to work on if it is ever going to get healthier.

As for now, most fans will just have to end up ordering the pay-per-view.

The Undercard Will Not Be Impressive

When Mayweather-Pacquiao does get made it will be a pay-per-view, which means that it will have an undercard.

Most hardcore fans hope that it might mean a great undercard that even casual fans will enjoy and has the ability to make new stars.  That isn't going to happen, though.

As mentioned before, this fight is all about money.  That means that those making it will try to penny-pinch and make the undercard as cheap as possible.

Unfortunately, that means that the fights that take place on the undercard won't be that impressive.  In fact, it will mean what a boxing undercard always does when on a major pay-per-view.  That it is time to go to the bathroom, get drunk, or order some pizza.

It may not be the most optimistic view to take, but judging boxing's history it is the most likely.

This Will Be Manny Pacquiao's Last Fight

When Pacquiao fights Mayweather, it will be the last time he steps into the ring.

He has stated that he will fight on for the next few years, but really he is just waiting for that fight to happen.  When it does, win or lose he will step away from the sport.

He doesn't need to retire on top.  He has a job as a politician helping his people.

He has long-stated that he wants to help the Philippines and now that he is in a position to do so he isn't going to selfishly continue to box.

If he loses a match with Mayweather, he will shrug and continue on with his life.  It's a feat very few boxers can accomplish and Pacquiao should be commended for the fact that he is already starting to do this.

That is why when this fight gets made fight fans will need to watch it, because afterwards they won't see Pacquiao lace up the gloves again.

This Won't Be Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Last Fight

Whether he beats Pac-Man or not, Mayweather will eventually return to he ring.

It could be for a number of reasons.  The first is economics.  

Floyd loves to spend money and loves flaunt his wealth.  That has ruined many a good boxer and left them broken and destitute.  Then to make money they eventually go back to the only thing they know.

And they almost always come back slower and weaker.

The other reason Mayweather might come back is a little different.  Mayweather loves the attention and being at the center of any conflict.  He has even stated that he wants to fight Pacquiao while the fight between Pacman and Marquez has been heating up.

It might have been a marketing ploy, but it is more likely that he needed to be in the spotlight again.

Even if Mayweather retires undefeated, he will constantly need that validation.

And he won't get it anywhere but from the bright lights and the boxing ring.

The Fight Will Not Even Come Close to Living Up to the Hype

It is very rare, especially in boxing that a fight lives up to the hype. 

This fight will not be one of them.

Where as Pacquiao is known for making fights fun, Mayweather is not.

That is because Pacquiao seeks to win fights, while Mayweather fights to not lose.  When the two eventually meet it will be interesting to see which style of thought is more successful.

It won't make the fight entertaining, though.  No matter how aggressive Pacquiao is, having an opponent who doesn't wish to engage will make it a boring affair.

To have an exciting fight, two fighters have to wish to beat the other.  That means taking chances and that isn't something Mayweather is prone to do.  He certainly hasn't done it with slower opponents and that won't change when he fights Pacquiao.

Hopefully the fight won't be marketed as the one to "save boxing," otherwise fans both casual and diehard will be disappointed.