Manny Pacquiao, one of the modern era’s most exciting pugilists, will be fighting for the last time on April 9th. According to an ESPN report, Pacquiao will then immerse himself into politics in his native Philippines. The seven-weight world champ, who serves as a Congressman in the Philippines, will be running for Senate in the new year.
“I’m telling you what he told me last week at dinner in New York,” Arum said. “We talked very seriously and he said, ‘Bob, hopefully, by the middle of May I will have been elected senator in the Philippines and at that point I cannot engage in boxing because I need to focus on the senate and I have to be in attendance.’
“Manny told me this fight on April 9 will be his last fight.”
Unless you’re a diehard Pacquiao fan, it shouldn’t be too difficult to watch the Filipino icon hang up his gloves for good. The 37-year-old is still a force at Welterweight, but his hunger and killer-instinct have arguably dissipated over the past few years. Throw in that ‘shoulder injury’ and lofty political ambitions, and it would seem now is the perfect time to remove boxing from his schedule.
Moving on to the obvious question present in boxing fans’ minds: Who should Pacquiao face on April 9th?
There’s a number of big names to choose from who’d likely jump at the opportunity. Especially given Pacquiao has never been so beatable. Lucas Matthysse is of course out of the running following a crushing 10th round defeat to Viktor Postol, but marquee names like Terence Crawford, Amir Khan and Timothy Bradley have a decent shot. Well, provided they don’t suffer any major career setbacks in the meantime.
Who should Manny Pacquiao bow out against, fight fans? A serious test like Crawford? Or less-stern tests like Khan and former-victim Bradley?
