June 9th's battle between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley has all the makings of a classic.
It will pit a revered and battle-tested champion versus a young and hungry challenger. But no matter who comes out on top, the outcome will be a welcome respite for a sport that could sure use some excitement.
The marketing of the fight has been easy for boxing. Bradley has attractive skills, but will be risking an unblemished record against fighting's most dominating performer.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has had his share of distractions the past couple of years, from owing in taxes and saving his marriage to ridding himself of the luxuries his eight titles have earned him. He looks vulnerable, but a convincing win should regenerate his lust for boxing and set up a potential blockbuster match with Floyd Mayweather.
Just a couple of months ago, boxing and its pride and joy were reeling. PacMan even sounded like he was prepared to hole up at home and play video games instead of continue the career that has made him famous.
"I will not stay long in boxing because he (God) said: 'You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful,' " Pacquiao told DVMM.
The dream seemed so real to the 33-year old, he gave up many of the vices that were wreaking havoc in his life. But he has not expressed a definitive date for retirement. Instead, he's turned his attention to the Bradley fight for a chance to redeem himself from the scrutiny that has grown.
Pacquiao told USA Today that he will spread the message of Christianity inside the ring and believes God wants him to do so because of his worldwide popularity.
If Pacquiao brushes aside Bradley and remains active, questions remain as to who he will fight next. Hall of Fame Boxing promoter Bob Arum says that "everything is on the table" for PacMan's next move.
Although a war of words has existed between Arum and Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao could finally give fans what they have been yearning for by agreeing to fight his infamous critic, who believes that Pacquiao's championships are tainted by steroid use.
If Pacquiao decides to let outspoken Mayweather simmer a while longer, he could return to the ring for a fourth time against Juan Manuel Marquez. Either way, boxing will benefit by the intrigue and Pacquiao could earn a pair of hefty paydays that should make retirement sweet for the people's champion.
That dream sequence could surely come true, but it will be abruptly halted if Tim Bradley has anything to do with it. History suggests that he will succumb to the extraordinary skills of Pacquiao, but at his media day workout, Bradley sure looked like a guy that is focused on making history.
The undefeated junior Welterweight champion believes he can wrestle the Welterweight crown away from Pacquiao because he has "mastered" the southpaw's moves.
I can deal with any southpaw,” Bradley said, noting that he has learned how to deal with their lefty stance after beating Devon Alexander and Joel Casamayor.
“I’m a lot more familiar with the southpaw stance…I’m just a lot better with that now at competing and defeating southpaws. It’s not a big deal anymore. You know, switching up and having to face a southpaw can be tricky. But it’s just like riding a bike to me, now.”
Fellow Bleacher Report writer Tim Keeney has also pointed out a few of Bradley's best traits. He says that "footwork and speed" are in the 28-year old's favor.
Bradley has not lost a single fight in 28 tries, but he's not exactly a knockout artist. Just 12 of his fights have ended by KO.
It will pit a revered and battle-tested champion versus a young and hungry challenger. But no matter who comes out on top, the outcome will be a welcome respite for a sport that could sure use some excitement.
The marketing of the fight has been easy for boxing. Bradley has attractive skills, but will be risking an unblemished record against fighting's most dominating performer.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has had his share of distractions the past couple of years, from owing in taxes and saving his marriage to ridding himself of the luxuries his eight titles have earned him. He looks vulnerable, but a convincing win should regenerate his lust for boxing and set up a potential blockbuster match with Floyd Mayweather.
Just a couple of months ago, boxing and its pride and joy were reeling. PacMan even sounded like he was prepared to hole up at home and play video games instead of continue the career that has made him famous.
"I will not stay long in boxing because he (God) said: 'You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful,' " Pacquiao told DVMM.
The dream seemed so real to the 33-year old, he gave up many of the vices that were wreaking havoc in his life. But he has not expressed a definitive date for retirement. Instead, he's turned his attention to the Bradley fight for a chance to redeem himself from the scrutiny that has grown.
Pacquiao told USA Today that he will spread the message of Christianity inside the ring and believes God wants him to do so because of his worldwide popularity.
If Pacquiao brushes aside Bradley and remains active, questions remain as to who he will fight next. Hall of Fame Boxing promoter Bob Arum says that "everything is on the table" for PacMan's next move.
Although a war of words has existed between Arum and Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao could finally give fans what they have been yearning for by agreeing to fight his infamous critic, who believes that Pacquiao's championships are tainted by steroid use.
If Pacquiao decides to let outspoken Mayweather simmer a while longer, he could return to the ring for a fourth time against Juan Manuel Marquez. Either way, boxing will benefit by the intrigue and Pacquiao could earn a pair of hefty paydays that should make retirement sweet for the people's champion.
That dream sequence could surely come true, but it will be abruptly halted if Tim Bradley has anything to do with it. History suggests that he will succumb to the extraordinary skills of Pacquiao, but at his media day workout, Bradley sure looked like a guy that is focused on making history.
The undefeated junior Welterweight champion believes he can wrestle the Welterweight crown away from Pacquiao because he has "mastered" the southpaw's moves.
I can deal with any southpaw,” Bradley said, noting that he has learned how to deal with their lefty stance after beating Devon Alexander and Joel Casamayor.
“I’m a lot more familiar with the southpaw stance…I’m just a lot better with that now at competing and defeating southpaws. It’s not a big deal anymore. You know, switching up and having to face a southpaw can be tricky. But it’s just like riding a bike to me, now.”
Fellow Bleacher Report writer Tim Keeney has also pointed out a few of Bradley's best traits. He says that "footwork and speed" are in the 28-year old's favor.
Bradley has not lost a single fight in 28 tries, but he's not exactly a knockout artist. Just 12 of his fights have ended by KO.
