Pacman happily retired... for now

LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao enjoyed his first day as a retired boxing superstar by attending church service in his Las Vegas hotel, then boarding an RV (recreational vehicle) with his family for a quiet, six-hour cruise back to this City of Angels.

“Retired na. First day ng buhay retired,” he told reporters.

Pacquiao wore a black leather jacket, blue pants and Chucks, and had a bruise under his left eye when he came out of his suite around noon. He joined more than a hundred others for church service at the Michael Jackson Theater at Mandalay Bay.

There was no sign of Timothy Bradley, whom Pacquiao knocked down twice in their welterweight clash at the MGM Grand last Saturday evening en route to a unanimous decision. At the center of the ring after the fight, Pacquiao had invited the American fighter to join the church service.

“Okay naman. Bible study kanina,” said Pacquiao.

The 37-year-old congressman, who’s running for senator in the May 9 elections back home, said he felt good knowing he’s now retired. He smiled and laughed during the interview.

Perhaps retirement hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“Wala na ang mga gloves ko. Pinamigay na ang mga gamit ko (My gloves are gone. TMy stuff has been given away),” said Pacquiao, the only boxer in the history of the sport to win world titles in eight different weight categories.

Pacquiao bid the sport goodbye following his impressive win over Bradley, despite repeated questions about the possibility of a rematch with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. or a clash with light-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez.

As Pacquiao was leaving the post-fight press conference, Bob Arum held him close and whispered something in his ear. He was asked what Arum said.

“Bob just told me ‘Go home and enjoy your life’,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao said it was very difficult to say whether or not he would make a ring comeback because he hasn’t really felt how life would be outside of boxing.

“Boxing is a difficult sport to quit. I think he hasn’t realized that yet. But he will soon,” his trainer of 15 years, Freddie Roach, said.

Pacquiao said it’s not the lure of a Mayweather rematch or all the money that goes with it may make him change his mind.

“It’s not about the money. It’s about my commitment to my family that I will retire,” he said.

Pacquiao has earned more than what his family and their future generations would need to live a happy life.

“I’m okay. I’m okay,” said Pacquiao.

“I just want to live a simple life with my family. That’s all,” said Pacquiao, adding that he can find more time now to spend on his other career as playing-coach in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“Tutukan na natin (let’s focus on that),” he said.

Pacquiao said he will miss Las Vegas and its bright lights, where he first shone as a 122-pound boxer who knocked out a heavy favorite, South Africa’s Lehlo Ledwaba, in his US debut in 2001.

“Mami-miss natin siyempre. Dyan tayo lumaki (Of course we will miss it. It’s where I rose to stardom),” he said.

About what could lure him back inside the ring, Pacquiao said, “I cannot answer that. Maybe the only thing is that if I totally miss boxing.”

Is there any timetable?

“None. Wala naman,” he said. “Retired na ako eh,” Pacquiao, once the greatest, said.