Pacquiao says still undecided on retirement after 2009

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who has openly discussed his political plans for 2010, is now undecided about talks of his retirement from boxing.

Pacquiao, who earlier said that he will hang his boxing gloves by the end of 2009, told Anjali Rao of CNN’s Talk Asia that he will push through with his retirement plans.

“[My wife Jinkee] never asked me about retirement, but my mom wanted me to retire soon,” the celebrated Filipino said in the CNN interview. “I don’t know, I’ve not decided yet.”

Should he continue, his fighting career could go in the way of his political plans as he is reportedly on track to run for congressman in 2010.

“Yeah definitely, next year,” Paquiao said when asked if he will be returning to politics.

“My dream is to run for Congress, I want to help my countrymen especially in General Santos [City],” he added.

Among the fighters already being eyed as his next opponents after Britain’s Ricky Hatton are Miguel Cotto, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and “Sugar” Shane Mosley.

However, the biggest draw could be against former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose father Floyd Sr., is training Hatton.

Another blockbuster match up for Pacquiao is with his arch nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, whom he beat in a controversial split decision in 2008.

When asked about his choice of opponent after Hatton, the Filipino said he will fight any opponent his promoter picks.

“As long as he’s a boxer, 140 to 147 pounds, I can fight [him],” said Pacquiao.

On Hatton

The Filipino champion said it would be an honor for him to face Hatton, whom he will be facing on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“Fighting with English fighter is my honor and Ricky Hatton is a nice person too,” said Pacquiao.

In respect to Hatton, who is now Britain’s biggest boxing star, Pacquiao has underwent almost the same training and preparations he went through when he was fighting Oscar de la Hoya.

“I sparred every other day. Twelve rounds with three boxers. The intensity of our training is the same like our preparation against Oscar,” said the Filipino.

He also said he merely shrugged off the ongoing verbal jabber between his trainer Freddie Roach and Hatton’s mentor Floyd Sr.

Pacquiao said that as boxers, their sole duty is to fight.

“We don’t care if they’re talking trash. We try our best to give a good fight and make people happy,” he said.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/04/29/09/pacquiao-says-still-undecided-retirement-after-2009

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