By Geno McGahee

Manny Pacquiao, 54-3-2, 38 KO’s, is gearing up for his June 9th fight against the undefeated Timothy Bradley, 28-0, 12 KO’s, and has hinted at retirement, win or lose, but the message came today that he will have “3 more fights.” Even though God himself asked him to retire recently (according to Pacquiao), he went with his promoter’s advice and is sticking in the game that has made him very rich.

Even though Bradley has a great deal of heart and is training his heart out for this fight with Manny, the odds are stacked high against him. He doesn’t possess a big punch, isn’t a slick fighter, and knows no other way but straight ahead. He will be charging at a tank as Ricky Hatton did, losing to Pacquiao in 2 rounds.

The aura of invincibility was shattered when Pacquiao struggled to get a gift decision against Juan Manuel Marquez in their third encounter. The fight with Bradley is meant to restore it, and get him back on the knockout track. Pacquiao’s last four fights have been by decision, which is not good for marketing purposes if you are advertising him as this deadly force in the ring. When we saw Hatton flattened, it was easy to look at it and say: “I wonder what happens when he hits Floyd.” Seeing him controlled by Marquez has sent a different message…Manny can’t compete with Mayweather.

So, don’t let him fight Mayweather. That was the Bob Arum plan. Arum is a great promoter and is not doing what’s right for the fans. He’s doing what’s right for his bank account and protecting Manny is top priority. If Manny is to fight Floyd, it will be in his farewell fight because the most likely result is a wide defeat to “Money.”

Pacquiao’s last three fights. What will they be? The first one is decided. He is fighting Timothy Bradley, leaving two spots. If Lamont Peterson beats Amir Khan for a second time, he may fill that slot for number 2, and there is always Juan Manuel Marquez for a fourth time. Sergio Martinez is far too big at 160 pounds and even if he dropped down to welterweight, Pacquiao wouldn’t be able to handle him. He’s not going to make the cut. Floyd Mayweather, JR., possibly for the third fight…possibly. It’s unlikely, but Arum may decide to cash in when he’s certain that he cannot talk Pacquiao into any more fights.

Manny Pacquiao has been good for the sport, but his inability to come to terms with Floyd Mayweather, JR., when the fight was most meaningful has turned the casual fans away. With only three fights left, a showdown with Floyd, if he gets beyond Cotto, would still be interesting, but it would still face many of the obstacles that it has faced in the prior failed negotiations.