Pacman retiring in '07
THIS may come as a shock to his avid boxing fans, but World Boxing Council international super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao said he plans to retire from competitive boxing as early as next year.
Pacquiao himself bared this in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in General Santos City, saying he wanted to focus on running his various businesses, especially the Manny Pacquiao Promotions.
"Maybe after about two fights, I will retire already. I want to personally supervise my business ventures. It really makes a difference when one manages his own business," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao is slated to fight Mexican boxing icon Erik Morales in a rubber match on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas. After Morales, Pacquiao will fight another Mexican in Marco Antonio Barrera, whom he beat to a pulp two years ago.
He said he did not want to retire from the sport with physical or mental disabilities because he wants to enjoy life after hanging up his gloves.
Pacquiao was obviously referring to some world boxing greats and Filipino boxers who had suffered various illnesses after absorbing brutal punches during their prime.
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, for instance, contacted Parkinson's disease after his retirement, while in the local front, former world champion Rolando Navarette, Pacquiao's townmate in General Santos City, was reduced to begging after wasting away his fortunes. Navarette is also suffering from physical disabilities.
If Pacquiao finally decides to quit for good, he will have more time to devote to his businesses other than his boxing promotion, such as a pharmacy, a convenience store, a seven-hectare cock farm, and a lotto outlet, among others.
He refused to comment when asked about his reported plan to run as vice mayor of Manila, although Manila Mayor Lito Atienza had already announced that the Pacman's running mate is the city chief's son Ali, who is presently the chairman of the Manila Sports Council.- Arman Armero
