Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao confirmed he will only have one bout left before he hangs up his gloves and said he wants to “finish his boxing career with a victory”.
The world’s only eight-division champ who’s also an elected congressman vying for a Senate seat in next year’s Philippine national elections, expressed his desire to focus on life after boxing.
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“I already achieved what I wanted to do in my (boxing) career,” Pacquiao said, after he made a quick stop to meet and greet his Dubai fans at du store in Dubai Mall on Wednesday.
“I want to maintain my name on the top of boxing and records and yes it is very important to finish my career with victory. This is my last fight in boxing because I’m going to focus on serving the people in the Philippines and I believe I can achieve that dream. Part of my advocacy is the protection of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers).”
When asked who would be his opponent, Pacquiao denied claims from Amir Khan’s camp that a fight between the two has already been sealed for April 9 in Las Vegas.
“Not yet,” said Pacquiao. “We are going to finalise it, but I have not yet talked to Bob Arum.
“But it's (fight with Khan) possible. It’s part of our plan and of course if there is no problem in the negotiations, then why not?”
Aside from his former sparring partner, three more boxers are on the shortlist. “We have (Terence) Crawford, (Timothy) Bradley or (Danny) Garcia. But I don’t know yet, a lot of names have been given to me by my promoter.”
Pacquiao is also keen on staging his last fight in Dubai, saying: “I would love to have a fight here in Dubai but I don’t know yet. We are working on that.”
Pacquiao is in Dubai to play and coach Mahindra Enforcers, a professional basketball team in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), on Friday at Al Wasl Club against Alaska Aces and he will be at Go Sport store at the Mall of the Emirates this afternoon.
Pacquiao, who arrived in Dubai Monday night, said: “I’m very happy and excited being in Dubai for the first time.”
He posted on his social media account several pictures of him with his wife, Jinkee at the Burj Khalifa and wherever he’s gone, droves of eager fans are have followed him.