Merchant defends Pacquiao’s decision to fight again

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s decision to resume his boxing career is not without its supporters.

Veteran boxing commentator Larry Merchant recently defended Pacquiao’s move to “unretire” and take on Jessie Vargas on November 5, saying the Filipino icon still got what it takes to compete at the top level.

“Every fighter has to decide that (returning). Look, here I am, back in my own comeback. How can I criticize another guy's comeback?,” Merchant told boxingscene.com’s David P. Greisman, referring to his own return to boxing commentary after calling it quits as HBO’s longtime analyst.

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Pacquiao has been criticized for not keeping his word when he announced his retirement after defeating Timothy Bradley in April. Some of his critics likewise pointed to the fact that Pacquiao is also now a senator, and fighting again could affect his duties as a public servant.

Pacquiao, however, assured his countrymen that his training won’t affect his Senate duties. In fact, the boxer chose to train at a gym just a stone’s throw away from the Senate office in Pasay City after sessions.

Merchant, meanwhile, argued that Pacquiao looked good against Bradley – knocking the American down twice en route to a dominant win in their last bout –  that he deserves to continue fighting.

“He fought an excellent fight against Bradley in his last fight. Off of that fight, why would a guy want to retire who can still make eight figures, multiple millions of dollars?” Merchant explained.

The boxing sage said Pacquiao will likely fight on especially if he also looks great against the much younger Vargas, who at 27 years old is 10 years Pacquiao’s junior.

“And fighting a good young fighter in Vargas – if he comes out of that looking good, then he's going to have to think about fighting again,” said Merchant, adding that anything can happen in their bout at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“I think he's going to have to be as good as he can be at this age to beat this kid. This kid's a good fighter, a good boxer. Obviously Manny is the strong favorite to beat him, but I wouldn't be surprised at anything that happens.”