Manny Pacquiao during the weigh-in for his charity fight against South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in Seoul, South Korea. Photo from Wendell Alinea
MANILA, Philippines—It’s been two years since Manny Pacquiao’s last official fight.
His retirement, however, doesn’t seem to be permanent with a potential comeback becoming more imminent.
Recently, Hall-of-Fame trainer Freddie Roach revealed Pacquiao is keen on stepping back inside the ring one more time and having a “real fight.”
“I talked to Manny on the phone and he wants to fight one more time. He wants a real fight,” Roach said in a recent interview with Boxing Social.
Roach said he also got a call from Pacquiao’s wife, Jinky, who told him not to encourage the Filipino ring icon to make a comeback.
FILE–Manny Pacquiao practices with trainer Freddie Roach at Wild Card gym. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
“And then his wife calls me and says. ‘don’t let him fight, don’t let him fight’ and I try to be on her side,” Roach said. “But when a man in this sport wants a fight, he’s gonna fight. [Against] who? It doesn’t matter.”
Roach made it clear that the 44-year-old Pacquiao doesn’t want an exhibition although the eight-division champion is slated for one early next year against a Muay Thai legend in a boxing match.
Pacquiao and Roach got in touch again on Sunday during the Errol Spence-Terence Crawford fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was at ringside to support his fighter Isaac Cruz. Cruz beat Giovanni Cabrera, a fighter trained by Roach, by split decision in WBC lightweight title eliminator.
Roach is looking forward to being in Pacquiao’s corner again if he does decide on coming back.
“If I’m his trainer in that fight, I will make sure he’s at his best,” said Roach.
Just last January, Pacquiao signed with Japanese promotion Rizin. He also announced in a press conference that he is set to go up against a Japanese fight this year.