PACQUIAO HINTS AT RETIREMENT UPON ARRIVAL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Mar 2010
Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao has hinted at possible retirement which is more likely if he wins the lone seat representing Sarangani province in the May 10 elections according to people close to the “Fighter of the Decade” shortly after he arrived to another hero’s welcome by adoring fans at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and then during a colorful welcome at the New World Hotel in Makati City.
Insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports has been told that Pacquiao simply doesn’t want to talk about a multi-million dollar fight in the future against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr who faces Shane Mosley on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Most likely Pacquiao will discuss the possibilities of a fight with the winner after May 1 since Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer himself has said he will not discuss a future fight until after the Mayweather-Mosley showdown is over.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz has indicated in the recent past that Pacquiao doesn’t wish to discuss a Mayweather fight because he doesn’t wish to give such importance and create the impression that he (Pacquiao) is running after Mayweather Jr for a fight because he believes he doesn’t need him as much as Mayweather needs Pacquiao to make the kind of big money he wouldn’t earn fighting anybody else.
Pacquiao noted that his mother Dionesia has been asking him not to fight anymore considering the dangers of the sport and has said she would go down on her knees and ask him to stop fighting. She first made the plea after he hurt his ear in the Miguel Cotto title fight late last year.
Pacquiao remarked “I don’t want to see my mother like that” he told reporters at a brief talk in the hotel lobby where he was accompanied by his family and members of his entourage.
Among those who welcomed Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee at the airport were Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar who has been strongly endorsed by Pacquiao who swore that he never received one centavo from Villar for his endorsement although he would clearly benefit in his congressional campaign with the NP party machinery and organization behind him. Also in the group were regular fixtures , former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Chavit Singson and former environment secretary Lito Atienza who is seeking to regain his Manila mayoralty post against popular incumbent Fred Lim.
On his arrival at the hotel Pacquiao’s party was greeted by dancers lining the driveway wearing colorful outfits while staffers waving small Philippine flags cheered the boxing superstar as he entered the lobby. Later this morning Pacquiao and wife Jinkee would hear mass as always, at the Quiapo church after which he would pay the normal courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who has been a staunch supporter and admirer of Pacquiao long before he emerged as the hero he is today, internationally.
Later in the day Pacquiao will be welcomed by millions of Manila residents in a motorcade organized by Atienza.
Pacquiao confirmed that he would attend the grand Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Annual Awards at the Sofitel Plaza Harbour Tent on Thursday where he is the guest of honor and speaker and will be honored as “Fighter of the Decade.”
Top photo: Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao speaks as Philippine presidential candidate Senator Manuel Villar (L) claps during their meeting at a hotel in Makati financial district, metropolitan Manila March 22, 2010. Pacquiao, who will run for a congressional seat in the same political party as Villar on the May 10 elections, arrived on Monday after he retained his WBO welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey of Ghana last March 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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