By Chris Williams: WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is reportedly dealing with some big time tax problems in his native Philippines. Perhaps this will be little more than a tiny blip on the screen for the politician/boxer, but with potential jail time if he’s found guilty, it’s got to be something that Pacquaio is concerned with as he gets ready for his June 9th fight against the unbeaten Timothy Bradley.

As it is, this is a very tough fight for Pacquiao because Bradley is arguably the best fighter in the light welterweight division and could be No.2 or 3 in the welterweight division behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. and possibly Pacquiao. We don’t know yet, but I’m giving Bradley an excellent chance of out-boxing and beating the aging 33-year-old Pacquiao by a 12 round unanimous decision in June. But the tax matter makes this fight an even tougher bout in theory. It’s better that Pacquiao try and clear it up sooner rather than later because the ramifications are huge and it could really hurt him as he tries to get ready for one of the toughest opponents of his career. Can you imagine trying to get ready for a fight with a serious matter like that weighing down on you?

I can just see Pacquiao going out in the ring to face Bradley on June 9th wondering what’s going to happen with his tax problems, perhaps thinking ‘Gee, I sure hope this thing doesn’t mess me up up with my constituents.’ With Pacquiao with his mind on his heavy tax burden problem, Bradley may then brain him with some big shots and take him out in a surprise knockout or at the very least cut him up and batter a bloody Pacquiao for 12 rounds. A distracted Pacquiao could be at the mercy of Bradley in grueling bout, and that’s why he needs to clear the matter up well before then.