Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has stated that he is close to retirement.
The Filipino, who will turn 37 in December, returned to his home country of the Philippines on Wednesday following his unanimous decision defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier in the month. Speaking exclusively with BBC Sport, Pacquiao spoke candidly about his boxing future.
“I will focus on healing my shoulder. After that, I will announce that I’m continuing my career or retirement,” Pacquiao said.
“I’m not saying I am going to retire, but it’s near.”
Pacquiao returned home to the same adoring fans that have welcomed him back as a winner or a loser for most of his career – this time was a little different – he was supporting a sling following surgery on his injured right shoulder – an issue that Pacquiao said had jeopardized his chances of beating Floyd Mayweather Jr., although he thought he won the fight anyway. The fight, the most lucrative in the sport’s history, accumulated 4.4 million pay-per-view buys in the United States alone, with total revenue expected to break $500 million.
Floyd Mayweather initially texted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and said he would be willing to fight Manny Pacquiao again when his injured shoulder was healed. However, in an interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray, Mayweather backtracked on those plans, calling Pacquiao a “sore loser” and a “coward” for not giving credit to him for the victory and for making excuses about his performance because of the injury.
Pacquiao on the other hand, still wants the rematch.
“I would like that. I want that, but my focus right now is my shoulder, my work as a congressman, and my family.”
Next month will mark the five-year anniversary since Pacquiao assumed office on June 30, 2010. Pacquiao had the opportunity to watch the fight over again and still believes he was the victor, but by a slim margin.
“I reviewed the fight and kept score. I won by two points,” Pacquiao said.
But, he has accepted the defeat to Floyd Mayweather.
“But, a decision has been made, and we have to accept it,” he added.
