Bradley fight will be his last, Pacquiao insists

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao belied reports claiming he will come out of retirement for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Speaking to Aquiles Zonio of Philboxing.com, Pacquiao stressed that his rubber match with Timothy Bradley on April 9 (April 10 Manila time) will be his last fight.

The Filipino icon will hang up his gloves after taking on Bradley for the third time to become a full-time politician.

“My April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley will be my last. I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,” Pacquiao told Zonio on Monday evening.

Pacquiao made the statement amid another Philboxing.com report that came out a few days ago claiming he will not retire until after a rematch with Mayweather, who defeated him in boxing’s richest bout ever in May last year.

But Pacquiao denied having said anything about it.

“Wala akong sinabing ganun. Wala namang nag-interview sa’ kin tungkol diyan. Pagkatapos ng laban ko sa April 9, magreretiro na ako sa boxing (I didn’t say anything about that [Mayweather rematch]. After my fight on April 9, I will retire from boxing),” he insisted.

Pacquiao is eyeing a Senate seat under the opposition party of presidential hopeful and incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay.

This early, the Sarangani congressman is confident of successfully securing a higher public post based on his ranking on the latest surveys.

“Consistent ‘yong ranking natin sa mga surveys. Among the top 10, palagi tayong nasa no. 7 or no. 8. I expect na aakyat pa ang ranking natin lalo na ‘pag naikot natin ang buong bansa,” Pacquiao said. – Dino Maragay