By John F. McKenna (McJack): Filipino icon World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) who faces undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (28-0-1 NC, 12 KO’s) on June 9 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas is preparing for anything “Desert Storm” may bring to the table when they clash.

“Pacman” now concedes that he underestimated his last opponent WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KO’s) when they battled last November. In the Marquez fight Manny was the overwhelming favorite over the aging “El Dinamita”. In essence Pacquiao made the mistake many great fighters have made over the years. He started believing his own press clippings.

Manny is determined not to make the same mistake again and he vows not to take Timothy Bradley lightly. Pacquiao is confident that he can return to the form that made him the great fighter he is. The fighter who, despite what all his detractors now say, was able to move up through the ranks and win world titles in 8 separate weight divisions. In addition to being acclaimed by boxing writers as the “Fighter of the Year” for the years 2006, 2008 and 2009 Manny was tabbed as “Fighter of the Decade” for the years covering 2000 to 2009.

There is a saying in Hollywood that movie actors are only as good as their last picture. Hit after mega hit at the theater are seemingly wiped out after just one flop at the box office. The same thing is true of fighters. Boxing fans are well known for being fickle. The great Joe Louis remarked ruefully after his comeback attempt against up and coming and future great Rocky Marciano failed that all of his former fans were in the “Brockton Blockbuster’s” corner celebrating his victory.

The fighter who has been called “The Pacific Storm” found out the hard way after his disappointing performance against Marquez that boxing fans only want to remember you when you are victorious. And while on paper “Pacman” won the fight, Marquez was the victor in the eyes of most boxing fans.

Pacquiao has given assurances to his fans that he has prepared himself for any eventuality. When fighting a fighter like Bradley however all preparation can fly out the window in a heartbeat. How do you adequately prepare for a fighter who comes in head first and is notorious for head-butts and cutting his opponents? Trainer Freddie Roach and Pacquiao have undoubtedly planned to counter “Desert Storms” head first approach by sidestepping him and countering with Manny’s withering array of powerful hooks and uppercuts.

It will be interesting to see how Bradley fares, when he encounters a fighter who is as well conditioned as he is and who has much more power and speed.