Pacquiao urged to decide soon on boxing career

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao’s longtime promoter is calling for the boxer to make up his mind soon on whether he will retire or continue fighting.

Because according to Top Rank Inc. president Todd DuBoef, Pacquiao’s potential opponents in the welterweight division won’t be waiting for the Filipino icon to come up with a decision.

Speaking recently to John Dennen of boxingnewsonline.net, DuBoef said they are still keenly awaiting Pacquiao’s next move.

“I think it’s wait and see. Right now he’s predominantly consumed with his job of being a politician and I think probably the best thing to do is wait and see what he wants to do and what his intention is and how he wants to proceed,” said the Top Rank executive.

“Because now he’s an elected official, he’s there for the people, that’s his primarily role. We are sitting here. We wait for him to let us know what his intentions are and what he feels like doing and then we go from there,” he added.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since losing the WBO welterweight title to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia last July, and is most likely done for the year. A planned rematch between the two fighters was scrapped due to various reasons, and now the 29-year-old is set to defend the title against another foe.

DuBoef said Horn and the undefeated Terence Crawford — another potential Pacquiao opponent — will move on with their careers with or without fighting the Filipino star.

“Horn’s not waiting for Pacquiao and Terence Crawford’s not waiting for Pacquiao. The welterweight division is a wonderful division; all these guys are wonderful athletes. They’re not going to wait on guys,” he continued.

Horn, for instance, has reportedly already dropped a Pacquiao rematch in his immediate plans. Assuming he defeats British boxer Gary Corcoran in December, the Brisbane native will instead go for UFC star Conor McGregor.

Pacquiao is currently occupied with his work in the Philippine senate, and if he ever decides to return to the boxing ring, it will be early next year.

DuBoef, for his part, just wants to find out what’s on Pacquiao’s mind so they, too, will know when to start working.

“If he wants to dedicate himself to the people in the Philippines, that’s what his duty is, that’s what he should do. And if he wants to come back and have a fight in the fall or the spring, winter, whatever it is, obviously we love working with him and his team and facilitating his boxing career,” he said.