Manny Pacquiao v Timothy Bradley (Photo : Getty Images)
He hasn't looked like his dominant self in years. He's even lost three of his last six, including being put to sleep by rival Juan Manuel Marquez with just one punch. But with the departure of former welterweight and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather from the sport, boxing's eight-division world champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao now finds himself still on top of his division.
Following his split decision loss to Tim Bradley back in 2012, and the knockout loss to Marquez shortly after, Pacquiao hit rock bottom. His stock took a huge sucker punch to the gut and caused him to drop significantly in the rankings.
But now, at 37 years old and on the cusp of his final bout as a professional boxer, Pacquiao is surprisingly still the best fighter at welterweight.
Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) will take on former WBO 147-lb. belt holder Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) who vacated his title to land the high-profile bout with the Filipino. The pair are scheduled to touch gloves on April 9, in a 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao is en route to Los Angeles now after completing the Philippine leg of his training camp spent at home in General Santos City. He'll set up camp at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club now in Hollywood, and a few weeks after he'll make the familiar trek up to Las Vegas.
The 21-year ring veteran insists the Bradley bout will be his last, win, lose or draw, and that fans should cherish the last time they will get to see him in the ring.
Other welterweight fighters in the rankings include the hard-hitting Kell Brook, Pacquiao's former training mate Amir Khan, rising star Keith Thurman, speedster Danny "Swift" Garcia and Bradley himself. The fact that Pacquiao is still favored against each and every one of them speaks volumes of his generational talent.
A lot of fans and observers smell an upset brewing, citing Pacquiao's out-of-ring distractions and reduced drive to compete as the culprits of his decline. They feel as though the more focused Bradley could catch Pacquiao on an off night and do just enough to earn the judges' nod.
If Bradley is able to beat Pacquiao once and for all, it will undoubtedly spell the end of Pacquiao's career for sure, and will kill a possible rematch with Mayweather.
If however Pacquiao defeats Bradley convincingly on April 9, winning by a long sought knockout, it will either give the Filipino the chance to leave the game on top or open up talks of another go at "Money" May.
