MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao’s next fight will be his last.
That’s how Bob Arum, the legendary promoter, is trying to sell it.
Pacquiao, who will turn 37 on Dec. 17, told the Top Rank chief that if he’s elected senator in May then he will hang up his gloves.
“Manny told me this would be his last fight,” Arum told ESPN two days ago.
“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.
Pacquiao has been through a lot of battles inside the ring. He has faced the biggest names and the biggest boxers and took their heaviest blows.
He’s had 65 fights (57-6-2) in 20 years as a pro, becoming the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight classes.
There’s nothing more to prove.
Plus, the wear and tear has started to show. Last May, just days after the Floyd Mayweather fight, Pacquiao underwent surgery on his right shoulder.
Pacquiao has been out of the ring since then, and will not be in action until February of April next year.
Yes, he’s slowing down.
“If he stays in boxing a little too long his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired,” said Arum of the boxer who turned congressman.
Soon, he may become a senator, and, who knows, even president.
When Pacquiao last faced the Philippine press, he hinted of retirement.
“I’ve been in boxing for 20 years,” he said.
“Maybe one or two more fights then that’s it,” Pacquiao added.
Arum is looking at a very short list of Pacquiao’s possible opponents for his comeback back – Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, Tim Bradley and Kell Brook.
There’s no hurry choosing Pacquiao’s next opponent. But Arum already has the time and place in his mind – April 9 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, for the meantime, is busy plotting his campaign for the May 9, 2016 elections.
Arum sat down with Pacquiao in New York a couple of weeks ago.
“We talked very seriously and he said, ‘Bob, hopefully, by the middle of May I will have been elected senator in the Philippines and at that point I cannot engage in boxing,” he said.