Manny Pacquiao has NOT officially retired despite saying boxing career is ‘over’, insists 42-year-old’s adviser
MANNY PACQUIAO has NOT officially retired despite saying his boxing career is ‘over’.
The Filipino boxing icon appeared to suggest in an interview with Filipina star Toni Gonzaga that he will not fight again.
But his advisor Sean Gibbons, also president of Pacquiao’s promotional company, said no definitive decision has yet been made.
Gibbons told ESPN: “In the coming weeks, the senator will decide how he’s going to finish his professional boxing career.
“After the fight and recently, he’s discussed retiring [or] maybe one more [fight]. He’s just talking out loud about different situations.
“Until you see it officially come out on his Twitter or Instagram, he isn’t retired. Once you see it on a platform like that, it’s official.
“Anything else is just talk about what his thoughts are in the moment. It’s coming from him, but it’s hearsay.”
Pacquiao, 42, was left questioning his career after losing to Cuban Yordenis Ugas, 35, on his return following two years out.
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The eight-division champion has now also confirmed he will make a run for president of the Philippines next year as he hinted at retirement.
He said: “My boxing career is already over. It’s done because I’ve been in boxing for a long time and my family says that it is enough.”
Pacquiao has been a senator in his homeland since 2016 and was recently nominated by a faction of the ruling PDP-Laban party.
He said: “I’m a fighter and will always be a fighter, inside and outside of the ring.
“All my life, I haven’t backed down from any fight. Nothing is impossible if it’s ordained by God.”
