Is a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley truly that bad? Already fully aware of the true victor of the first bout as opposed to the adjudged winner, is there any compelling argument for any self-respecting boxing fan to invest even the slightest interest for a sequel to one of boxing?s more embarrassing flicks?
For many Filipino boxing fans, watching Pacquiao lace his gloves anew is reason enough. But when will enough be enough with how Bob Arum has milked the Filipino sports icon?s popularity and loyal following? Unless you are talking to a full-on Pacquiao groupie, not since his 2009 clash with Miguel Cotto has the singing, legislating, bible-preaching, 8-division boxing world champion, been in a bout that elevated his legacy or at least live up to the excitement that made ?Pac Man? a household name. Perhaps expectations based on Pacquiao?s previous great performances have deadened the senses and maybe I am one of those who simply have lost perspective, but now that he is down to his final few fights, is it that foolish to request for better match-ups than what can be found inside Top Rank?s own stable of fighters?
To say the world of boxing deserves and wants to see a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch would be dishonest, and catering to the emotionaI attachments of die-hard fanatics? naivet? in selling it proves only that suckers don?t care about the sport’s integrity as much as they like to cry about it.
The need of a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch stands on indefensible ground, and the clamor as popular as chinchilla coats in Somalia. If fans are shaking sick in need of their regular dose, perhaps not seeing a Pacquiao fight in November in favor of waiting out a 2013 clash with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (as suggested in a report by one of his close press corps writers) is a reasonable analgesic.
Pacquiao-Bradley 2? Fool me twice, shame on me.
