Manny Pacquiao says retirement not imminent
Boxing fans shouldn’t worry: Manny Pacquiao will not be retiring anytime soon.
The boxer turned congressman indicated recently that contrary to wide-spread speculation, he will not be retiring after upcoming bout with Antonio Margarito.
Many had felt that the fighter, elected into office in May in the Philippines, will devote future time solely to politics, in which he has become increasingly involved.
"This is not my last fight," Pacquiao said to boxing website Fanhouse. "We can fight another opponent. I think I have two or three more fights."
Should Pacquiao triumph over Margarito this weekend, it is likely he will be thrown anew into pursuing a match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two fighters are undeniably at the top of the sport and a mega-fight between them has been sought for the better
part of two years with little results.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who promotes “Pacman,” said: “Obviously, the opponent that they want [Pacquiao] to fight is Floyd Mayweather, without any doubt. And when I get back to Las Vegas, I will examine Floyd's legal situation and so forth and see if
the fight can be done without being put into jeopardy by his going on trial the week before."
Mayweather was recently charged with larceny and battery following an incident with former girlfriend Josie Harris. He has seen received a restraining order against Harris and their two children, and is expected back in court next month.
Negotiations came to a stalemate last year when Mayweather demanded Pacquiao be subject to random blood tests up until their fight date. Pacquiao agreed, but said that he would not take tests within 14 days of the fight, causing “Pretty Boy Floyd” and others
to claim he was taking performance enhancing drugs.
A second round of negotiations fell through when Mayweather refused to respond to a fighting offer put forth by Arum. The reasons for his refusal are unclear.
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