By Chris Williams: Career-wise, Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KO’s) will be limping into his April 12th rematch against WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao has lost 2 out of his last 3 fights, and he hasn’t beaten a really good fighter since his catch-weight win over Miguel Cotto in 2009. Since that fight, Pacquiao’s wins have come against Joshua Clottey, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez and Brandon Rios. Like a lot of fans, I don’t count Pacquiao’s victory over Marquez in 2011 as being a win for Pacquiao, because Marquez clearly won that fight and deserved a decision with a four round cushion.
A loss for Pacquiao in the rematch with Bradley will send a message that it’s pretty much over for the 35-year-old Pacquiao. Yes, he’ll continue to fight after the defeat, because there’s no way that he’ll retire.