‘You might not see Manny Pacquiao fight again in the ring.’ Is Pacman retiring after Ugas match?
Following defeat at the hands of Cuba's Yordenis Ugas, talks about Manny Pacquaio retiring have surfaced.
The 42-year-old boxer was even asked about his retirement plans after the match, but he did not give a definitive answer.
“I’ve done a lot for boxing and boxing has done a lot for me. I look forward to spending time with my family and thinking about my future in boxing,” Pacquiao said during the post-fight press conference.
“In the future, you might not see Manny Pacquaio fight again in the ring," the Hall of Famer said. "For how many decades, I’m so happy with what I've done in boxing. I contribute a record in boxing, making it a top sport, and most especially, bringing honor to my country and the Filipino people."
During his fight with Ugas, Pacquaio admitted to feeling his legs cramp up by the second round. The tightness in his legs was said to be caused by a combination of his rough training and aging.
“In my heart, I want to continue fighting," the 42-year-old boxer said. "But I also have to consider my body and my work in the Philippines. There’s a lot of things that I need to accomplish to help people.”
“I’m a fighter inside and outside the ring,” Pacman added, sharing how he was looking forward to going back to the Philippines to get back to serving the country.
The senator was also asked about his plans of running for president after the fight, to which he said he has yet to make his final decision.
Pacquiao first stepped into the professional boxing ring in 1995 and has since become an icon of the sport. Known for his quick and powerful punches, Pacman is the only boxer in history to win 12 major world titles in eight different weight divisions.
Image from Patrick Fallon/AFP.