Pacquiao downplays doubts on retirement plan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY , Philippines– “I don’t care what others think.”

This was Manny Pacquiao’s message to all the doubting Thomases about his plan to retire from boxing.

Pacquiao on Friday stood pat on his decision to hang up his gloves for good after his third bout with Tim Bradley set for April 9 in Las Vegas.

Two of the closest people who helped chart his career path however took his statement with a grain of salt.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said he won’t market Pacquiao-Bradley III as the last fight of his prized ward, saying he believes the Filipino sports hero would continue fighting.

“He says he’s going to retire, and maybe he will. The truth is you never know with any boxer,” Arum had said.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach also is not sold on the idea that the final chapter of the Bradley trilogy will be Pacquiao’s farewell performance.

“I don’t think this will be his last fight. I think he will fight in the future because I just don’t feel he’s all done. He’s always telling me before when I’m all done will you tell me,” Roach said.

But Pacquiao dispelled any doubts on his retirement plans.

“I don’t care what others think but as for me, I 

will retire after the Bradley fight,” said the eight-division world champion.

Pacquiao said he would drop the curtains on his decorated career so he can focus on politics. 

Pacquiao, representative of Sarangani province in the House of the Representatives, is running for senator in the May elections. – Evelyn Macairan