It appears that Pacquiao is ready to quit after over two decades as a professional boxer even if Arum keeps wiring his guaranteed purse.
“I don’t care what others think but as for me, I will retire after the Bradley fight,” Pacquiao told Philboxing’s Emmanuel B. Villaruel over the weekend in GenSan.
While he is certain about his retirement plan, it seems he is still looking forward to a possible comeback fight after a brief retirement period.
“If you’re retired already, you can still make a comeback right?” Pacquiao added.
The statement clearly indicates he has plans of coming back from his retirement haven if another great opportunity comes, like a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Arum, who is a witness to a good number of boxers who retired and later returned to continue fighting, said he won’t market the fight as Pacquiao’s last.
“I am not going to position this as his last fight,” Arum said. “It may very well be his last fight, but I won’t put myself in the position of selling it as his last fight and then he decides he wants to fight again and I look like a schmuck. I’m not sure it is his last fight, despite what he told me.” he added.
Arum’s observation is shared by Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach, who said he doubts if the Bradley fight is going to be Pacquiao’s last.
“I do know Manny well, though. He would love to be the senator who defended his title someday. I don’t think this is his last fight for some reason. I just don’t see it because he has a lot left in him. His work ethic is still great. I’d be disappointed if this was his last fight. I’ve been with him a long time, we had a great run. I’ll support whatever he does,” Roach said.
Roach is now spending time with Pacquiao in their GenSan camp where the Hall of Fame trainer will conduct the first phase of Pacquiao’s training leading up to to April 9 fight.
