Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the only boxer to win world titles in eight weight classes, will retire after a final fight on April 9.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN that Pacquiao will focus on politics in his home country. Arum and Pacquiao discussed plans for the final fight over dinner last week in New York.
According to Arum, Pacquaio expects to be elected as a senator in the Philippines by mid-May and could no longer engage in boxing as the senate position requires that he be in attendance.
The 36-year-old Pacquiao serves as a congressman for his Sarangani province, and was criticized for constant absenteeism. Pacquiao insisted his bout take place no later than mid-April, so he will still have a month left to campaign.
Arum added that if Pacquiao wants to be the president of the Philippines, the six years in the senate would be like an audition.
Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) won world titles at flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight and junior middleweight during a career that began in 1995.
Pacquiao's short list of possible opponents is include WBO junior welterweight titlist Terence Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs), Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs), and WBO welterweight champ Timothy Bradley Jr. (32-1-1, 12 KOs), who must beat Brandon Rios on Nov. 7 to be considered.
Bradley Jr. split two bouts with Pacquiao, winning a split decision in 2012, in one of boxing's most controversial decisions with virtually everyone thinking that Pacquiao won easily. Pacquiao exacted revenge with an easy unanimous decision win in their 2014 rematch
Arum said Pacquiao's fight probably will be in Las Vegas, potentially at the new Las Vegas Arena being built by MGM due to open in April. If not there, Thomas & Mack Center, Mandalay Bay Events Center and MGM Grand Garden Arena are possibilities.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
