Philippine
boxing icon Manny Pacquiao gestures during a
media interview at his residence in General
Santos City, on the southern island of Mindanao.
Pacquiao has declared he still has the passion
for the sport and may come out of retirement,
although there are no plans for a fight this
year.
Aquiles ZONIO
Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has
declared he still has the passion for the sport and
may come out of retirement, although there are
no plans for a fight this year.
Pacquiao, 37, a newly elected senator in the
Philippines, told AFP on Wednesday night that his
top priority was his political career but that his
love for boxing had not diminished.
“When you put your passion and your dedication
in one sport, you cannot say you’re leaving that
sport if your passion is there,” Pacquiao said in
an interview in his hometown of General Santos.
“Boxing is always my passion and I grew up (as
a boxer). The Lord helped me (make) a name in
boxing history.”
Pacquiao added he was still physically fit to
return to the ring.
“I am still strong. I am still young,” he said.
Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said on Tuesday
that the eight-division world champion planned
to fight on either October 29 or November 5 as a
main event bout in Las Vegas.
But while leaving open the option of a comeback,
Pacquiao said he had not made such plans nor
discussed arrangements with Arum.
Pacquiao retired after winning a unanimous
decision in April against American Timothy
Bradley.
He said he wanted to hang up his gloves to focus
on his political career. After serving two terms
as a congressman in the House of
Representatives, Pacquiao was elected to the
Senate in May.
Pacquiao has previously said he eventually wants
to become president.
Yet, after being a senator for just two weeks,
Pacquiao wants to win a new title in the ring — a
fighting lawmaker.
“The first time in history that a senator is still
fighting in the ring. That’s a legacy,” he said.
But after being criticised for rarely turning up to
Congress, Pacquiao emphasised he was committed
to his duties as a senator.
“What is on my mind right now is to bring good
service to the people,” he added.
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