Pacquiao has not talked much lately about his plans to retire from the sport, which is understandable as he is enjoying his soaring popularity following Mayweather’s decision to face him in the ring on May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao has expressed his desire in the past to give back to his Filipino fans for the support they have shown in his 20-year professional boxing career.
Bob Arum, who promotes the Filipino boxing star, is aware of Pacquiao’s desire to stage a major fight for his fans in the Philippines, where the eight-division world champion is popularly known as a boxing hero or a “National Fist.”
“What I know is that before Manny retires he wants to fight one more time in the Philippines,” said Arum.
Arum, who was instrumental in staging the famous “Thrilla in Manila” fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier in 1975, has no objection on the plan.
In 2013, Arum said the possibility of staging a major fight for Pacquiao in Manila could soon become a reality with the completion of world class tourism-oriented establishments and casinos in 2015.
“You gotta understand, they filled in part of the waterfront around Manila Bay and they’re building four unbelievably luxurious casinos,” Arum told Radio Rahim in 2013. “Those casinos should be up and running in the next year,” he added.
Most of these establishments are now teeming with tourist from all over Asia. Once the other hotels and casinos becomes operational. they would need a major international event to lure vistors to the Philippines.
A version of the famous “Thrilla in Manila” featuring Pacquiao in a farewell fight could be a another financially viable project for the Hall of Fame promoter.
