BEFORE we rolled in 2012, Manny Pacquiao had gone 15 fights unbeaten, he?d not been knocked out for over a decade and was undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. A true modern great.
By the end of 2012 though, this had all seemingly come crumbling down. Pacquiao?s unbeaten streak had come to a sudden halt against Timothy Bradley, he had hit the canvas in devastating fashion against bitter rival Juan Manuel Marquez and you?d struggle to find the Filipino high up on any boxing fan?s pound for pound lists, if at all.
Many had already suggested that the 34-year-old was showing signs of fading well before the year had begun and it was no secret he was straying further away from the sport and into other projects, such as his foray into politics. Nevertheless, no one could possibly have expected him to decline as spectacularly as he did last year.
Pacquiao?s points defeat to Bradley in June, now recognised as a boxing injustice, was just the precursor to the biggest disaster of the fighter?s year and his career. Many had expected him to bounce back from that defeat to the Californian; it was seen as but a minor blip in a great career.
When Pacquiao-Marquez IV was announced for December 8, it presented Manny with a chance to redeem himself, a platform for him to remind the world he was still the champ we know and love.
Marquez had been Pacquiao?s kryptonite over the years, a fighter that he?s never looked convincing or confident against and someone with whom he had shared a trilogy of great fights, a modern era equivalent of rivalries like Jake LaMotta-Sugar Ray Robinson and Sandy Saddler-Willie Pep.
The first five rounds had started well for Pacquiao and he was ahead on the scorecards until disaster ? in the form of a Marquez right hook ? struck in the sixth, and it provided the everlasting memory of boxing in 2012; Pacquiao face down and motionless. No one had seen it coming.
Marquez couldn?t afford to let the fight go to the judges? cards as it had in the previous fights and couldn?t risk another upset, so he swiped Pacquiao with such venom it would have taken down a 200lb fighter let alone a 140lb boxer.
The punch left both Pacquiao and his career in tatters.
But what?s next for Manny? How can a fighter rebuild after such a disastrous year? Does he rebuild or simply retire without the risk of damaging a fantastic career any further?
It would be a crying shame for Pacquiao to end his career on the mat but at the same time, if he retires, he has a fantastic career set up for him in Filipino politics where he is adored and where he seemingly wants to make a difference. He needn?t risk his health anymore and he could leave the sport with little more than damaged pride.
If he does choose to fight on it is absolutely vital that he wins his next bout if he wants to save his legacy.
His promoter Bob Arum, is hopeful of making Pacquaio-Marquez V, that even this far into the saga would still generate extraordinary interest. He also has the option to redeem himself against Bradley and then there?s the possible, though unlikely chance he could finally meet Mayweather for a long overdue super-fight, although a lot less super than it would have been a year or so ago.
Mayweather recently claimed however, that he?d only fight Manny if he could beat Marquez again, someone Floyd claims to have been one of his easiest fights, as well as conquer Bradley.
Whatever Pacquaio?s next move, don?t expect him to go out with his tail between his legs. What we saw from him last year wasn?t vintage Pac-Man and at the still relatively young age of 34, he can still get back to his best.
One of the reasons why he is so loved as a fighter is that he is something of a freak athlete, a fighter who has competed in eight different divisions and won titles in each one. If anyone can pull off the comeback of the year in 2013, it?s Manny Pacquiao.
