Manny Pacquiao has been criticized for choosing a third bout with Timothy Bradley for his last fight.
Most fans complained that there is nothing left to prove with a third chapter of Pacquiao-Bradley. Pacquiao lost the first fight in one of the most controversial decisions in recent history as many people thought he should have won. He had a more convincing win that led in the second, and most of the boxing world thought that the issue was settled.
However, there is actually a legacy on the line for PacMan. At 37 years old, it is natural that he would age and his physical condition to deteriorate, but he wants to do the one thing that brought him to fame in the first place: knock his opponent out.
Did he choose Bradley to prove that he can knock out an opponent in his prime? His last knockout was in 2009 against Miguel Cotto.
According to elite trainer Robert Garcia, Pacquiao may want to prove something, as he told HoopJab.com (h/t Fight Saga).
"I actually think for that one, I think Pacquiao's gonna come out and do what he hasn't done with Bradley before and win by knockout," Garcia recently told HoopJab.com. "I think Pacquiao's gonna train hard and wants to look good and impress like he was doing 4 or 5 years ago," "I think he is gonna come out and win by knockout."
Bradley may be the perfect victim for Pacman. He has fought him twice before and there won't be any more surprises.
Pacquiao may be hinting at a surprise of his own, as this quote from Boxing News 24 seemed to suggest.
"So contrary to what some sectors believe, the choice of Bradley was not based solely on a business standpoint," Pacquiao said to philboxing.com. "There were many factors our team, headed by promoter Bob Arum, considered. And the most important, of course, was what fight can give fans the enjoyment and excitement they expect, which, actually is my primary criteria in choosing an opponent," Pacquiao said.
It may not be for the sport of boxing, but Pacquiao may want a convincing win, better yet, a knockout before he bids the sport goodbye.
While Bradley should not be taken lightly, it was more about familiarity for PacMan. Also, Bradley is still a title holder so Pacquiao-if he does win, can retire as a champ.