INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- A number of lawmakers have joined the clamor for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to retire, saying they would rather see the legendary pugilist go to politics rather than fight another round in the ring.

But House Speaker Prospero Nograles said that he would want to see Pacquiao fight undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., which would certainly stand as ``one for the ages.??

?Just one last fight with Mayweather,? said Nograles, who just arrived from the US after leading a virtual cheering squad of lawmakers during Pacquiao?s recent bout at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.

Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra Jr. said that Pacquiao had nothing more to prove after cementing his place in boxing history as probably the greatest with seven titles in seven different weight classes.

Mitra said with reports that Pacquiao had been nursing an injury since his sparring sessions in Baguio City (one of his trainers claimed Pacquiao complained about incessant ringing in his ears, which they kept under wraps by talking about it in Visayan dialect), his health was more important than furthering his exploits in the ring.

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella said that politics would be a better career choice for Pacquiao than boxing at this point. ``As a godfather to his children, I fear for his health. There?s nothing better for a genuine champion than to retire at the height of his prime, just like Michael Jordan,?? said Puentevella.

Puentevella, however, was realistic enough to admit that the biggest prize in boxing history that would come with a fight with another pound-for-pound king Mayweather would be ``hard to resist.??

Nueva Ecija Rep. Eduardo Nonato Joson said it was ``high time?? for Pacquiao to announce his retirement and join lawmakers like him in Congress. ``If he loses, he can do charity work and sports training for athletes,?? said Joson.