Manny Pacquiao training in LA (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
Despite people's champ and Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) saying that his rubber match against Timothy "The Desert Storm" Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be his last, many observers feel Pacquiao will continue to fight on if he performs well against the American.
He began his career at flyweight, knocking opponents out left and right. Some of his best victories include wins over Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton and Oscar Dela Hoya. Pacquiao however hasn't scored a knockout victory since his 12th round stoppage of Miguel Cotto in 2009.
The lack of knockouts he says can be attributed to the fact that he is not a natural welterweight fighter.
"It is harder to knock out opponents in the 147-pound division," Pacquiao told ESPN Deportes. "Because in fact, my natural weight is 140 pounds and if I demand a little more of myself - I can get down to 135."
Pacquiao is currently pursuing a senate seat back home in the Philippines, with elections coming in May. It is a full-time job to be a senator in the Philippines, and is the reason Pacquiao says he desires to end his professional boxing career.
If he performs well against Bradley however, particularly winning by knockout, coach Freddie Roach and his promoter Bob Arum both believe he'd choose to fight on despite earlier sentiments of retirement.
At welterweight, there are a number of fights that Pacquiao can partake in. A rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is always up for negotiation no matter how it seems that things aren't. Bolton's Amir "King" Khan also desires a high-profile matchup with Pacquiao, who was his former training mate.
And of course there's middleweight star Canelo Alvarez who could conceivably face Pacquiao in a catchweight situation.
But would it be a good move if Pacquiao chooses to drop down to 140, or even 130 pounds?
If he is indeed stronger and more powerful at 140 and below, then a number of fan-friendly, high-profile matches can be made.
There's a battle with junior welterweight champ Terence "Bud" Crawford, who Pacquiao was proposed to fight instead of Bradley. Crawford will not have to jump up to welterweight to face Pacquiao which he would surely appreciate and perform much better in the long run.
Then there are hard-hitters Ruslan Provodnikov and Lucas Matthysse also in the mix. A matchup against Floyd Mayweather copycat Adrien Broner is also an intriguing matchup for the Pacman.
The bottomline is, if Pacquiao is indeed a better fighter south of welterweight, then moving down a weight class or two may be just the ticket for a career revamp. At 37 years of age, Pacquiao is still quite the physical specimen and still commands top dollar whenever he fights.
If he does indeed choose to fight on post Bradley, will moving down in weight be a good career path for Pacquiao?
