Manny Pacquiao will retire from boxing next year but will have one last fight before hanging up the gloves for good, promoter Bob Arum has revealed.
Speaking on TMZ on Wednesday (AEST), Arum said the eight-weight world champion is nearing a career in politics but wants one final hurrah in the ring.
“He’s gonna fight again next year but his goal is to become a senator in the Philippines, which he will be next year, and then to be president,” Arum said.
“I think Manny will retire once he’s elected to the Senate of the Philippines which is next year… he’s gonna hang up the gloves.”
Pacquiao, 36, said in May he would make an ‘announcement for continuing my career or announcement for retirement’ once his shoulder injury healed.
He has twice been elected to Congress in the Philippines, but still seems to have the itch for the ring saying he wants a rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year.
A final fight against Mayweather, who defeated Pacquiao in a unanimous decision in the richest fight in boxing history back last May, would be a fitting way for the Filipino fighter to end his career, especially if he manages to beat the currently undefeated Mayweather.
However, he may not get that chance. Mayweather has said numerous times that his Sept. 12 bout against Andre Berto would be his last.