Pacquiao is seeking a senate seat in the 24-member upper house and his chance of getting elected is good. In a recent poll conducted nationwide by Pulse Asia, Pacquiao ranked No.8 in the top 12 senatorial race.
If he wins, Pacquiao said he will retire from boxing and concentrate on his new job as senator. Obviously he will continue fighting if he fails to get elected.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum met with Pacquiao in New York recently and he confirmed Pacquiao is indeed retiring once he gets elected in the senate.
“Manny told me this would be his last fight, and I’m not sad about it, because he’s going on to a political career which will require a lot of mental acuity, so you don’t want him to stay in boxing too long,” Arum said. “If he stays in boxing a little too long, his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired.”
Pacquiao has admitted that his camp is still negotiating with Mayweather for a possible rematch on or before April 9 because he needs 30 days for his election campaign in the countryside.
“I don’t know yet who [will be] my opponent next, but we’re still negotiating right now about the rematch with Floyd Mayweather,” Pacquiao said.
While Mayweather has already announced his retirement right after his fight against Andre Berto last Sept. 12, fight fans are still hoping Mayweather will reconsider his decision and grant Pacquiao’s request for a rematch.
If Mayweather declines Pacquiao’s rematch offer for the proposed April 9 fight, he could still catch the Filipino star later next year but only if Pacquiao fails in his senate bid.