By Simon Hirst: Welterweight and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao takes on the unbeaten former light welterweight champion of the world in Timothy Bradley this weekend in what is sure to be a make or break fight for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao has looked less than impressive in his last two bouts against Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, whilst Bradley is young, hungry and powerful.

It really is a fight that is interesting people, arguably more than what Cotto-Mayweather did. The talking point in the Mayweather fight was how much success Cotto had against what he was expected to do. In truth though, we all knew Mayweather would win and expected as much. However, with this fight, the general consensus is Pacquiao should win, but don’t be surprised is Bradley wins.

Pacquiao is riding a good win streak at the moment, beating all the top welterweights he has shared a ring with. However, with his recent decline in his performances, along with highly publicized training camp issues, it does beg the question is this the fight the bubble bursts? Bradley on the other hand has been nothing short of brilliant since he has won the title, despite fight fans wondering whether his best weapon is his head.

The fact is Pacquiao has it all to prove and and all to lose. A loss ends any hope of a Pacquiao Mayweather fight that most are tediously waiting for. Bradley on the other hand can afford the loss and come again. Nothing to lose, but all to gain. No pressure on his shoulders. Almost sounds like the roles reversed of the De La Hoya Pacquiao fight, though it would be unwise to predict a similar outcome.

The way I see this fight going is Pacquiao will win late on stoppage or points. I think Bradley throws one, Pacquiao throws 3 or 4. I think this will be similar to the Margarito fight, or the Cotto fight – same thing really. I doubt Bradley’s power despite the impressive physique and don’t believe he has the ability to keep Pacquiao at bay. I expect he will feel Pacquiao out the first round, try and get into things, but will struggle to get past the fast combinations of Pacquiao. Bradley doesn’t have the experience of having someone really push him back, being faster and stronger and throwing far more punches than him.

Bradley’s way to win will be to try and fight fire with fire. Make Pacquiao miss with that first punch and land his own. Tough, but Marquez proved it can be done, although Bradley is no Marquez. I imagine on the inside, Bradley will fight very rough, but any way you put it, I cannot look past a Pacquiao win, and a decisive one at that.