MANNY PACQUIAO’S exit strategy has been revealed.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Boxing Junkie’s Mike Coppinger that Pacquiao plans to have one last fight on April 9 next year before retiring to concentrate on his political career in the Philippines.
There is a shortlist of three likely opponents for Pacquiao. Britain’s Amir Khan is still in the running, as well as Manny’s old rival Tim Bradley, who boxes Brandon Rios on November 7, and Terence Crawford. Last night Crawford dazzled Dierry Jean to defend his super-lightweight WBO title.
“The decision will be Pacquiao’s to make, people won’t believe me,” Arum told Boxing Junkie. “But trust me: every decision as to any opponent has always been Pacquiao’s.”
Pacquiao last boxed in May in his showdown with arch rival Floyd Mayweather, which Manny lost clearly on points and then cited a shoulder injury. He has been recuperating since. If Mayweather remains retired it means by next year boxing will have lost its two leading men and new a generation of stars, the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Saul Alvarez and even Terence Crawford, will be bidding to take over.
