The Aftermath: Pacquiao's still got it, Mayweather-Pacquiao, and more

It was a big weekend featuring two of the best fighter’s in the sport as Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley finally met Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. Pacquiao proved to the entire world that he still has something left as he battered a tough Bradley to a unanimous decision victory. Now that the fight is over, more doors are open for both fighter’s, and there are some things that can be taken from this weekend’s mega fight. Let’s reflect on some of the things that we learned this past weekend. 

Pacquiao still has it:

Timothy Bradley was coming off two of the biggest wins of his career since his first fight with Pacquiao. His confidence was at an all time high and he had battered Juan Manuel Marquez, a guy that had only lost to Mayweather and Pacquiao over the last seven years, just this past October. He was a young fighter in his prime that was hungrier than ever for a victory. Pacquiao’s impressive performance Saturday night showed that he still has alot left. He defeated a great fighter in dominating fashion. The speed and power are still there and he didn’t look tired at all. The talk about Pacquiao retiring after the Marquez fight has faded. People want to see more of the Pacman.

Playing it safe:

Pacquiao’s been scrutinized lately because some believe he’s lost his killer instinct. He didn’t get the knockout that he wanted however it may have been unrealistic to think he could. Bradley’s a tough fighter that even the hard hitting Ruslan Provodnikov couldn’t stop despite having him hurt several times. It seems that Pacquiao is doing something different though. He’s being cautious. In both the Rios and Bradley fight Pacquiao has been less aggressive and more tactical when jumping at an opponent. It seems the Marquez KO has forced him to play it safe. There were numerous times last night where he left Bradley off and the old Pacquiao would have just kept coming at him throwing bombs. Nothing wrong with being more defensive minded but it loses some of that steam about him that the fans love so much.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao showdown coming?

Don’t hold your breathe. Arum and Pacquiao may be ready to talk but Mayweather isn’t. After he fights, and most likely beats Maidana on May 3rd, the talks of a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown will start among the fans. Don’t let the cold war and network issues fool you. If Mayweather wants this fight to happen he can make it happen. The problem is he doesn’t. Neither fighter has a set opponent for the fall and the fight is possible to be made. Arum says he wants the fight, then he should make the first move.

Next for Timothy Bradley:

He didn’t lose much from losing this fight, he didn’t win much either. He put together a great effort which was expected. People still want to see Bradley fight. He just signed an extension with Top Rank and he can still fight guys like Brandon Rios, Mike Alvarado, and even Miguel Cotto down the road. There is also a rematch with Ruslan Provodnikov that ever fan would die to see. Bradley has some good options. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon which is a good thing for the sport. Depending on how the Marquez-Alvarado fight plays out in May, and how Rios and Provodnikov do in June, it’s expected that Bradley takes on one of them next. We should see him in the fall.

Bob Arum to Mayweather: Let’s negotiate

I touched on this above. Everyone’s sick of the quotes and nonsense coming from both sides. If Bob really wants to talk then he needs to make the first move. Don’t just say you want to and expect Mayweather or Schaefer to pick up the phone and call. That will never happen and Arum knows it. Arum says he wants Mayweather-Pacquiao. Then step up to the plate Bob. Make the first contact. Put the ball in Floyd’s court. Will it matter? Probably not. This fight doesn’t happen unless Floyd wants it too. The media needs to put pressure on Floyd again and stop avoiding Pacquiao questions because they are afraid Floyd will get mad and flip out. I don’t see it happening anytime soon.