Buboy says Roach no longer has say on when Pacquiao should hang his gloves

Manny Pacquiao with trainer Buboy Fernandez during his Thursday training at Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

LOS ANGELES—Manny Pacquiao is not retiring anytime soon. And Buboy Fernandez feels he can best tell when the newly minted WBA welterweight super champion should consider calling it quits.

In Manila, Pacquiao brushed off suggestions by trainer Freddie Roach that he should consider lowering the curtains on a Hall-of-Fame career. Fernandez, who has acted as chief handler for Pacquiao in his last three fights, was even more defiant, saying Roach has no say in the matter.

“[Roach] doesn’t get to say that. I’m the chief trainer now,” said Fernandez, Pacquiao’s long-time pal, on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). “I get to say when it is time [for Pacquiao to retire].”

In Manila, returning to work in the Senate on Tuesday, Pacquiao was also asked about Roach’s suggestion and the senator, wearing dark sunglasses to hide his swollen left eye, replied in Filipino: “Not yet. I’m still happy fighting [in the ring].”

Pacquiao defeated Keith Thurman via split decision in an action-packed bout last Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to become the oldest welterweight champion in history.

“My performance [against Thurman] was OK. I just have to manage my time,” Pacquiao said.

“I continue my boxing career for a purpose, to inspire our people to rise above their limitations and overcome their circumstances,” he added after being commended by the Senate for his latest feat.

Pacquiao certainly looked like he was far from the end of his career in the fight against Thurman, where he scored a knockdown in the first round and thwarted his foe’s rally with a strong 10th round.

And Fernandez believes Pacquiao can still summon the same type of performance in the future.

“The fighting senator is already [turning] 41; what we need to do is protect his career,” said Fernandez in Filipino.