Pacman reputation on the line

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown and his reputation as the world’s most exciting fighter Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) against the younger, hungrier and undefeated Timothy Bradley.

The fight comes seven months after Pacquiao escaped with a razor-thin decision against Juan Manuel Marquez. It was an unpopular victory for the Filipino superstar, and soon after he faced questions on whether or not he was past his prime.

Then the superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. almost happened but, as in the past, obstacles came along, this time concerning the purse. Negotiations bogged down once more, and the two great fighters ended up fighting different foes.

Mayweather defeated Miguel Cotto last May 5 then a few days ago started serving his 90-day sentence in a Las Vegas county jail for domestic violence charges in 2010. Pacquiao ended up with the muscular Bradley standing in front of him.

The bout is set at the MGM Grand. Tickets to the fight aren’t as hot as in previous Pacquiao bouts, yet promoters are hoping for great pay-per-view numbers that would at least come close to the 1.5 million of Mayweather vs Cotto.

While Bradley has vowed to shock the world by destroying Pacquiao, most eyes will be glued on the fighting congressman from Sarangani, with boxing experts and jaded fans, even some of his own countrymen, asking the same question.

Is Pacquiao still the same old Pacquiao?

Bradley, also fighting out of Top Rank, is supposed to make Pacquiao look good here. But the 28-year-old American, undefeated in 28 fights but with only 12 knockouts, has plans of his own.

If there was a script given to him by Bob Arum, he certainly didn’t read it.

Last week in Los Angeles, during his media workout, Bradley distributed fight credentials to the media for a Nov. 10 rematch with Pacquiao. Fight posters were also printed, and the other night he unveiled an oversized fight ticket for the rematch.

Arum said under the fight contract, Bradley stands to receive $5 million, his biggest paycheck ever, and if he wins this one, he can get twice as much in a rematch on Nov. 10. Pacquiao is guaranteed $26 million for this fight.

Bradley is perhaps the most confident boxer in the world, saying on and on he has what it takes to beat Pacquiao, and deal the champion in eight different weight classes his first loss in 16 bouts.

Pacquiao hasn’t lost in seven years, and is 54-3-2 with 38 knockouts.

“I’m ready for war. I’m ready for war,” he said after weighing in at 146 lbs. Pacquiao came in at exactly 147, just right for the welterweight limit.

The weigh-in crowd, predominantly Pacquiao fans, jeered as Bradley spoke.

“It don’t matter me getting booed. I’ve been there before. Bring it on. The more the merrier, baby. They know how hungry and determined I am. They’re going to see a war, baby.”

Pacquiao is the clear favorite, starting off at 3-1 when the fight was sealed early this year. On the eve of the fight, he went as high as 5-1 but by midnight of Friday he settled back down to 4-1. It might stay that way until fight time.

Pacquiao should win convincingly. His fans are crying for a knockout, and they won’t settle for another close win.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said the other day he won’t be disappointed with a decision, as long as it’s lopsided.

“But I think he has a knockout on his mind,” said Roach.

Pacquiao fans may have seen the best of him in the months bridging 2008 and 2009 when he outpointed Marquez and knocked out David Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. His next four fights lasted the distance.

Roach insists Pacquiao isn’t over the hill yet.

“His critics say he’s already washed out. I say, ‘No,’” said the trainer, who first hooked up with Pacquiao in 2001, and formed the great boxer-trainer relationship reminiscent of the one between Muhammad Ali and the late Angelo Dundee.

While some believe that Pacquiao has lost his killer’s instinct, others think he has lost the power to kill at all. He has found new faith, and over the last six months had been deep into Bible studies – morning, day and night, anywhere he’s at.

But Pacquiao promised to leave compassion in his hotel room before he jumps inside the limousine that would take him and his wife Jinkee, and perhaps their children, all here to watch him fight live for the first time, to the fight venue.

“I will change the mode. I will switch the button,” Pacquiao said.

During Friday’s official weigh-in before some 4,000 fans in an enclosed section of the arena, Pacquiao smiled a lot. Roach said he likes it when his boxer smiles a lot because to him it’s a sign that Pacquiao is free from any distractions.

“When he smiles, like as he enters the ring, that’s always a good sign. We didn’t see that smile when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez (last November),” said Roach of the last fight.

“It’s so much different now. There are no distractions. We had the best training camp for the Marquez fight but everything fell apart five days to the fight,” Roach added with no need to elaborate.

Boxing analyst Max Kellerman asked Pacquiao, just moments after he tipped the scales, why he smiled most of the time, even when Bradley looked as serious as someone who just got fired from his job.

“I’m smiling. I’m happy because God is with me,” said Pacquiao. “I’m just happy the fight is tomorrow.”

Pacquiao held on to any clue on how the fight, to be watched by millions from around the world, would start or end.

“I don’t know. We will see tomorrow. I will give you the idea tomorrow,” he said.

The world is waiting.