Colleagues divided on Pacquiao career path

It might be time to hang up those gloves, Mr. Senator.

After his knockout victory over Lucas Matthysse of Argentina on Sunday, colleagues of Sen. Manny Pacquiao encouraged the boxer to consider quitting while he’s ahead.

“It is not about having enough money already. I’d say, my advice to my colleague, seat mate and friend is that it is best to leave the stage while the audience is applauding,” said Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

That, according to Lacson, would be the best kind of exit, “not when they have left because nothing is worth watching.”
“That would be both sad and tragic,” he said in a text message.

Sen. JV Ejercito shared Lacson’s sentiments.

“Manny Pacquiao is already a legend, no doubt one of the best boxers in the world ever. Nothing more to prove,” Ejercito said.

On Sunday, President Duterte, who watched the senator’s bout in Malaysia alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, said he, too, wanted Pacquiao to retire.

But Sen. Sonny Angara said only Pacquiao was in the best position to decide.

“Though I believe the President doesn’t want to see Manny fall prey to what many great fighters do—which is fighting one time too many. Muhammad Ali should no longer have fought Berbick in 1983,” he said, recalling the then-39-year-old Ali’s defeat to 27-year-old Trevor Berbick.

Pacquiao is also 39 years old and will turn 40 in December.

“But different fighters have different careers so it is something Manny will have to consider sooner or later,” Angara said.