THE last time Manny Pacquiao lost a fight, he embarked on a run that turned him from one of the best of his era, into one of the best of all time.
In 2005 he lost a close decision to Erik Morales. What followed was a 15-fight blast, where he twice halted Morales at super-featherweight, before marching through the weights, beating David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito. To add to the titles he?d already picked up at fly, super-bantam and super-feather, Manny won a belt in every division from light to light-middleweight.
And then, with his place in the Hall of Fame guaranteed, something started to go wrong. He looked disinterested against Shane Mosley in May last year. He was exceptionally lucky to get the decision over old rival Juan Manuel Marquez in November. Then in June, at the age of 33, he lost to Timothy Bradley. It was a stinker of a decision but ultimately, Pacquiao had failed to impress for the third fight in a row.
He?s set to return on November 10 against an opponent still to be decided. Bradley will surely be the foe but Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez have also been mentioned. Anything less than a stellar performance from ?Pac Man? and it will be hard to deny his best days are gone. We could be about to witness the end.
Here are the dangers in each match-up.
TIMOTHY BRADLEY
Undoubtedly a marketable rematch given the controversy of the first encounter and one that Manny would be expected to win.
But writing off Bradley?s chances would be foolish. First of all, the American fought much of their first encounter injured. If fit, logic dictates he will deliver extra trouble to the Filipino in a return.
Although Bradley may, deep down, know he was lucky to get the nod in that June upset, his belief will have been strengthened and he could be a far better fighter than he was just a few months ago as a result.
There?s also history to delve into. Remember when Jeff Fenech was held to an outrageous draw by Azumah Nelson in 1991? Fenech was expected to walk straight through the Ghanaian in the return but the opposite happened. A tired and faded Fenech was stopped in eight.
Rumours of complacency in Pacquiao?s camp have been increasing in recent years. Although he is a ferocious trainer when in camp, the distractions outside have started to filter through. He must prepare for this encounter like he?s penniliess, like there is nothing but boxing in his world; but when you?re the most popular person in your country, and have cash coming out of your eyeballs, such focus isn?t easy.
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
Deep inside the mind of Manny Pacquiao the name of his Mexican nemesis must cause chaos. In three meetings, although he has officially won two (one drawn), he has yet to truly look like the superior man.
Crucially, in their most recent bout, the public sided with Marquez. It seemed like he had done enough to win. Pacquiao heard the boos when his own arm was raised. Yet again, despite being a huge favourite beforehand, he could not contain the enemy.
It would certainly be a curious choice if Pacquiao were to be matched with Marquez. If there is any doubt in Manny?s mind that he may not be the force he was, his rival will feast on it.
Finally, do the public want to see this again? Certainly their three encounters have been thrilling occasions but once you?ve seen one, you?ve seen them all. Their most recent duel was certainly the least exciting of the bunch and considering a controversy is almost guaranteed if it goes to the cards, boxing can live without this fight for the time being.
MIGUEL COTTO
The elegant Puerto Rican had his moments in the early going of his 2009 loss to Pacquiao and will be confident of building on those moments if a rematch occurred.
Since that defeat, Cotto has proved he is far from finished, moving up to light-middleweight and halting Yuri Foreman, Ricardo Mayorga and Antonio Margarito before giving Floyd Mayweather all he could handle in May.
He has adapted his game with each passing year, added extra care to his fury and cemented his reputation as one of the current crop?s best. Given his success in the return with Margarito, he would be confident of repeating revenge against Pacquiao.
The fight may appeal to Pacquiao and his team because the premier was Manny?s last ?great? performance. But that should be why this fight is not pursued.
If Manny fails to beat Cotto any less impressively than he did first time round, the band of doubters will increase dramatically in number. The Filipino has nothing to prove against Cotto.
Sometimes going over old ground only confirms how far away yesterday has become.
