SPORTS SHORTS 202: WILL THAT BE MANNY PACQUIAO'S LAST FIGHT OR ONE MORE TIME?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Aug 2021
Manny Pacquiao says he may never fight again during post-fight press conference after his unanimous decision loss to WBA welterweight Super world champion Yordenis Ugas of Cuba. Pacquiao talked to the boxing world following his upset loss to the Olympic bronze medalist.
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“I did my best but my best wasn’t good enough tonight” Pacquiao said. “No excuses. I wanted to fight for the title in the ring and tonight the champion’s name is Ugas. I’ve done a lot for boxing and boxing has done a lot for me.
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"I look forward to spending time with my family and thinking about my future in boxing. I want to thank all my fans that came to see me fight tonight. I want to thank all of you in the media for telling my story about what Manny Pacquiao has done in boxing."
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“I’m not saying this is my excuse but my two legs were cramping. That’s why I (couldn't) move around," said Pacquiao. “In my early days, I (could) easily move and outbox him. This time around, it’s like my two legs were tight and hurting me in the second round until the 12th round. I’m not making excuses but that’s the reason why I can’t move.”
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These are proofs that Father Time has finally caught up the eight-division world champion. He might have overworked or overtrained but he did not feel this in his fighting years below age 40.
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The saying "life begins at 40" here means that no matter how extraordinary our body resistance is, we feel the effects of wear and tear when we reach that age.
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Senator Pacquiao looks forward to going back home and continue serving the Filipino constituents. “I’m a fighter inside and outside the ring and I look forward to getting back to the Philippines and serving the Filipino people as this pandemic continues to affect millions in the Philippines. Congratulations to Ugas and his team."
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"Thank you to all of you...in the future you may not see Manny Pacquiao again to fight in the ring — I don’t know — but for how many decades, I’m so happy for what I’ve done in boxing. I contribute a record in boxing also and to (make it to the top of boxing), especially bring honor to my country, the Filipino people.”
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“When our lives are finished inside this world, we can take nothing,” Pacquiao said. “In this sport, this is my passion, this is why I’m still here, keep on fighting at the age of 42. I’m enjoying it, but sometimes you have to think about the life span of your body.”
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“I’m thinking about my future in boxing,” Pacquiao said at the news conference. Then he added, “You might not see Manny Pacquiao again to fight in the ring.”
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"I have to consider a lot of things, especially my work back in the Philippines," emphasized the fighting senator.
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Pacquiao's wife Jinkee wrote in her Instagram :
“Words cannot express how proud I am of the Man you are. I’m proud to be your wife. You mean the world to me and all our children. We love you so much. We, your family, have seen how much you have toiled, sacrificed and given of yourself blood sweat and tears since the beginning when you dreamed of becoming world champion."
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Win or lose on the ring You are Forever the Champion of our hearts. To all Our kababayans all over the world, thank you for loving Manny . He loves you more than you know. To You LORD, we continue to Offer our lives. To God be all the glory!”
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"I hate to see the day he retires but this could be it," said coach Freddie Roach. "He didn't have a great performance tonight. We'll see what Manny decides.” Roach knows more about Pacquiao as a trainer cum father figure.
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But childhood friend and confidante who also acts as trainer Buboy Fernandez is not about to accept a Pacquiao retirement. "We will try again and rise again," said Fernandez who is the Vice Mayor of Polangui, Albay.
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Who can refuse a Floyd Mayweather rematch? Or any return fight with another legend like Juan Manuel Marquez or Oscar de la Hoya?
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I think it depends on what position he will be holding after the May national elections. President, Vice President or reelected Senator?
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Manny Pacquiao has already defeated 22 world boxing champions:
Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand (8th round KO)
Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa (6th round TKO)
Jorge Elicer Julio of Colombia (2nd round TKO)
Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico (11th round TKO and unanimous decision)
Erik Morales of Mexico (10th round TKO and 3rd round KO)
Oscar Larios of Mexico (unanimous decision)
Jorge Solis of Mexico (8th round KO)
Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico (split decision and majority decision)
David Diaz of United States (9th round TKO)
Oscar De La Hoya of United States (8th round TKO)
Ricky Hatton of United Kingdom (2nd round KO)
Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico (12th round TKO)
Joshua Clottey of Ghana
Antonio Margarito of Mexico (unanimous decision)
Shane Mosley of United States (unanimous decision)
Brandon Rios of United States (unanimous decision)
Timothy Bradley of United States (twice by unanimous decision)
Chris Algieri of United States (unanimous decision)
Jessie Vargas of United States (unanimous decision)
Lucas Matthysse of Argentina (7th round TKO)
Adrien Broner of United States (unanimous decision)
Keith Thurman of United States (split decision)
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Pacquiao lost also to 7 world champions:
Medgoen Singsurat 3K Battery of Thailand (3rd round TKO)
Erik Morales of Mexico (unanimous decision)
Timothy Bradley of United States (split decision)
Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico (6th round KO)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. of United States (unanimous decision)
Jeff Horn of Australia (unanimous decision)
Yordenis Ugas of Cuba (unanimous decision)
* * *
His first defeat was a 3rd round KO to Rustico Torrecampo who was never been a world champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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