Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley (Photo : Getty Images)
Despite the fact that Filipino ring icon and former eight-division world champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) had already faced opponent Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) twice before -- beating the American in a rematch as well as losing a split decision in the first fight which everyone knows Pacquiao won -- defeat is not out of the question for the people's champ.
Pacquiao, 37, is a 21-year professional competing in his 66th bout in a career that began well before he made his professional debut in 1995 against Edmund Ignacio. He's coming off surgery on his torn right rotator cuff, an injury that's kept him out of the ring for nearly a year and he's also a congressman, running for a seat in the Philippine senate which is certainly no easy task.
Suffice to say, despite Pacquiao's legendary work ethic, he's battling against a number of factors -- not the least of which is Father Time, who until this day remains undefeated.
They say the sport of boxing is a young man's game, so to say Pacquiao can handle Bradley a third time with ease because he did so before is really not a well-based opinion.
It will take a monstrous effort from Pacquiao -- which he is of course highly capable of -- to offset a surging Bradley who just came off knocking out the previously unstopped Brandon Rios who Pacquiao himself failed to stop a few years back.
Bradley also hired new trainer Teddy Atlas recently, and although an old boxing adage says you can't teach an old dog new tricks, the change of pace and personnel has brought the best out of Bradley and he's looking like a new man.
But we can't really count out Pacquiao, despite the odds.
If there's anyone who could overcome all the odds against him, it's Pacquiao, who has proven time and again that what he brings to the table is almost always enough.
However when Pacquiao climbs into the ring against Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, he'll be battling against ring rust, post-surgery complications, being preoccupied with Philippine politics and old age.
Whoever shows up on fight night -- whether the 'old Manny Pacquiao', or just 'an old Manny Pacquiao' -- will ultimately determine the outcome.
Nevertheless, Pacquiao will have to maintain laser focus to thwart Bradley who will look to end his career on a sour note.
