Mayweather rematch can change Pacquiao’s plans

Manny Pacquiao’s father Rosalio (left) and brother Rogelio arrive at LAX Wednesday night to lend moral support to Pacquiao. ROY LUARCA

HOLLYWOOD—Win or lose, Manny Pacquiao’s father and his brothers will support whatever the eight-division world champion decides to do with his life after his farewell fight.

“It will be up to him,” said Manny’s father Rosalio in Cebuano, as translated by another son, Roel. “After the fight, he’ll make a decision and it will stand.”

Pacquiao has said he will hang up his gloves after his third fight with Timothy Bradley on April 9.

The 57-year-old Rosalio said his eldest son “knows his body better” and should be able to decide whether to fight again.

Roel said Manny’s plan to quit is largely influenced by his decision to pursue a seat in the Senate.

“He doesn’t want people to say that he’d been remiss on his duties as a legislator,” added Roel, a barangay captain who is eyeing the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province that Manny will soon vacate.

Roel said only a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. could possibly change his brother’s mind.

“Of course, he wants to seize the opportunity to get even,” said Roel.

Bobby, a former boxer who also aspires to become a GenSan councilor, said it’s entirely up to Manny to decide whether to continue boxing.

“He’ll make the decision, not us, so we’ll just follow it,” said Bobby, who arrived here earlier to help in Manny’s preparations.