Manny Pacquiao has wasted no time and countered by swearing that only he knows his body best.
“I know better what is happening to my body. Just leave it alone,” Pacquiao told the Agence France-Presse.
Pacquiao was reacting to his promoter Bob Arum’s announcement that the Filipino national boxing hero would retire next year.
“I believe he will take one more fight, then run for the Senate,” Arum said.
* * *
After the surgery on his right shoulder, Pacquiao had to undergo mandatory mothballing.
His rotator cuff would need at least six months to heal. But in a stunning twist, Pacquiao announced the injury had started to heal fast.
He hinted at help from sea water and a little miracle. It was not clear how soon the fast-healing world boxing icon would be able to start training.
But his excited chief adviser Michael Koncz had earlier hinted Pacquiao could be fighting again before the year ends.
* * *
Arum, who himself must’ve been amazed at the obvious rush Pacquiao wanted to return to action, put an end to speculations.
Arum said a Pacquiao fight next April should be in order. Arum said he had people from the United Arab Emirates trying to talk about a fight involving Pacquiao and Amir Khan.
* * *
Curiously, there was no mention of Las Vegas or any city in the United States as possible venue of Pacquiao’s comeback bout.
The possible venues for the proposed fight against Khan included Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Wembley Stadium in Britain. Khan, of Pakistani lineage, is a British citizen.
As this developed, there rose contentions it would not be wise or profitable to stage Pacquiao’s next fight in the United States.
* * *
There were those who claim Pacquiao may no longer be as hot and saleable following his loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In fact, Pacquiao was sued after his unanimous decision defeat to Mayweather by fans who claimed they were cheated after Pacquiao concealed his shoulder injury.
Fans in the United States paid $100 for pay-per-view subscription on May 2.
* * *
The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, originally billed as Fight of the Century, next fell as the Dud of the Century.
Meanwhile, Koncz, who said he had ticked the wrong box in the pre-fight health questionaire, confirmed Pacquiao’s next fight would be in April.
Contrary to what his manager has claimed, Pacquiao insisted he will have more fights after his return to action.