Pacquiao retirement has Arum's blessing

MANILA, Philippines – If Manny Pacquiao ever decides to hang up his gloves, there will be no opposition from his longtime promoter Bob Arum.

Speaking recently to veteran scribe Steve Kim of Undisputed Boxing Network, the Top Rank Inc. chief said he will support Pacquiao’s plan to retire.

“One-hundred percent,” said Arum.

The veteran promoter then brought up the case of undefeated light heavyweight champion Andre Ward, who recently shocked the boxing world when he announced his retirement from the sport.

The 33-year-old Ward is still widely considered to be at his prime, making his decision to call it quits a surprise to many observers and fans.

Arum hinted that it will be a good move on Pacquiao’s part to follow Ward’s example and ride off into the sunset with his faculties still intact.

“Nobody was more delighted when Andre Ward was packing it in because he had made enough fighting and he wanted a career in announcing. It’s great. Why should these guys stay and risk permanent injury, particularly when they have the ability to get out with their health?” he continued.

Pacquiao’s boxing career has been on hold since the Filipino icon suffered a stunning defeat to Australia’s Jeff Horn in July. While calls for Pacquiao to quit the sport have again intensified immediately following the loss, the fighting senator insisted he will continue fighting on “until the passion is gone.”

Pacquiao is keen on exercising his rematch clause with Horn, but that fight won’t happen anytime soon as the 29-year-old Australian is already set to defend the WBO welterweight belt against Gary Corcoran in December.

But in the event Pacquiao decides he has finally had enough of boxing, Arum, for his part, said he will be among those celebrating.

“So I think Andre did a really smart thing in retiring and, if Manny decides to retire – which I don’t know – but if he does, I’ll be applauding it.”