Pacquiao to forego retirement

CEBU, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao's comeback fight against WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley set for April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas won't be his last.

That pronouncement came straight from the horse's mouth.

Before picking Bradley as his next foe, Pacquiao has made it known that he will most likely see action inside the ring for one last time, hinting that he is ready to hang up his gloves for good especially if he wins a seat in the Philippine Senate in the May elections.

But it turns out to be not the kind of path the Pinoy sports hero wants to take in the future.

In a report by veteran writer Eddie Aliena of Philboxing.com, Pacquiao has indicated that he is willing to forego with his retirement plans if ever he gets a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

"I have been very vocal about it (fighting Mayweather) even before the Bradley fight was made official on New Year's eve," Pacquiao was quoted as saying by Alinea in his Philboxing report. "The reason is simple, I want to end my 21-year boxing career with a big bang so to speak."

"And what would be the biggest fight to end a career than fighting the best and finest boxer at least in this era?" asked the fighting congressman from Sarangani Province.

"We could have given that last May when we faced each other but due to unavoidable circumstances,  sports fans failed to get the results they wanted," Pacquiao added. "Not that Floyd's legacy and mine can still be questioned but wouldn't it be more colorful and meaningful closing our respective careers on higher notes at the same time putting an end, too, on the business we started but we were unable to finish?"

In the same internet report by Alinea, Pacquiao explained why he is choosing Bradley to be his next opponent, something that drew adverse reactions from fans considering that he was dominant and far more superior fighter during their previous two encounters even through the first one was inexplicably awarded to Bradley.

"Bradley is one of the best welterweights there is in the entire universe," said Pacquiao, even as he gives credit to Bradley's ninth round stoppage of Brandon Rios, who he beat only by decision two years ago in Macau.

"So contrary to what some sectors believe, the choice of Bradley was not based solely on a business standpoint," Pacquiao  explained. "There were many factors our team, headed by promoter Bob Arum, considered."

"And the most important, of course, was what fight can give fans the enjoyment and excitement they expect, which, actually is my primary criteria in choosing an opponent. Many, indeed, seemed dissatisfied with the choice, but what I can assure everybody is we made that decision having the interest of the boxing public in mind," Pacquiao ended. (FREEMAN)