Pacquiao: ‘One last fight’ before May polls; hints retirement

Will Filipino boxing legend Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao permanently exchange his sports shorts and gloves with a suit after the May 2016 elections? INQUIRER.net FILE

People’s champ and Sarangani Representative Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao said he was ready to retire from boxing to concentrate on politics and “helping the people.”

Asked in a televised interview whether he was retiring from boxing, Pacquiao said “Ready na siguro [to hang up the gloves] dahil 20 years na ako sa boxing.” (I am probably ready because I have been boxing for 20 years)

But the Filipino boxing legend refused to categorically say that he was retiring except to say that he would have “one last fight” before the May elections.

“I’m not saying that I am retiring but may fight pang isa before the elections,” (I may have one last fight before the elections) Pacquiao told Karen Davila of ANC’s “Headstart.”

Pacquiao is reportedly in talks with Amir Khan for a match in March or April.

“Pag andyan na sa Senado ang focus mo ay ang trabaho at family,” (Once at the Senate, one’s focus would be the work and family) explained Pacquiao, whose attendance as a member of the House of Representatives is under scrutiny.

As representative of Sarangani, Pacquiao was present in Congress only four times in 2014. He said training for his fights had kept him away from attending House sessions.

He has declared plans of running for the Senate in May 2016. CB

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