Manny Pacquiao plans to end career 'in a good way' April 9 vs. Timothy Bradley
NEW YORK - Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao have been together 15 years, "longer than most marriages," the Hall of Fame trainer quipped.
Their relationship has been especially close, and remarkably successful. After titles won in a record eight divisions, hundreds of millions of dollars in purses and worldwide stardom, Roach had one wish for Pacquiao: to never have the talk. You know, those dreaded words far too many fighters hear at some point: It's time to hang 'em up.
It's rare when a boxer bows out gracefully from the ring. Roach, who battles Parkinson's disease, admits he hung on too long during his own career. But Pacquiao says he has made that choice. His third meeting with Timothy Bradley - for Bradley's WBO welterweight title - set for April 9 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas (HBO PPV) will be the final fight of his illustrious career.
"Sad to say that after this, I'm going to retire and hang up my gloves and focus on another big responsibility in life, to help the people," said Pacquiao during Thursday's news conference at Madison Square Garden. Although when pressed by Paste BN Sports, he placed the likelihood he wouldn't fight again at 80-90%. "I entered boxing because I want to help my family, my mother. And now I end my boxing career in helping the Filipino people."
Pacquiao, who turned 37 last month, is a Congressman in the Philippines and will seek higher office as a Senator. He's currently polling eighth among 52 candidates for 12 available senate seats heading to a May 9 election. Pacquiao has said he even has aspirations of one day becoming President.
He will have many opponents in the political arena, but first, he will have one more foe in the squared circle. The selection of Bradley has been widely criticized, especially with Amir Khan and Terence Crawford as fresh options.
Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KOs) won their 2012 encounter in what many hailed as the worst decision of all time. He tore his right calf muscle during the 2014 rematch, which Pacquiao won by lopsided decision. Bradley is currently a 2-1 underdog at MGM Grand.
After Bradley hooked up with trainer Teddy Atlas - best known for his analyst work with ESPN - and knocked out Brandon Rios with a body shot in November, he surprisingly got the call.
"He's more aggressive now than before," said Pacquiao, who plays basketball to stay in shape, and lists Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul as his favorite players. "Because before when we had a fight he's moving around, moving around and now he's aggressive. I believe it will be more entertaining and more action."
Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) last fought in May, when he dropped a decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr., in their so-called fight of the century. Pacquiao underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery to repair a torn right rotator cuff after the bout, and said he received a clean bill of health this week.
He's set to return to the Philippines on Friday, where he'll begin strength and conditioning work, before traveling to Los Angeles next month for training camp at Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club. In order for Pacquiao to truly leave on top, he'll have to beat Bradley, Paste BN Sports' No. 9 pound-for-pound boxer, one more time.
"He's in trouble," said Bradley, 32, who lives in Palm Springs, Calif. "I know him very well, he's not going to change. He'll be the same Manny Pacquiao as always, just coming forward, trying to just bully his opponents; I get it.
"We're just going to be a smart monster. Knowledge in every department."
Long known for power, Pacquiao last scored a knockout in a 2009 victory over Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao wishes to leave no doubt this time around with Bradley, and while he won't be actively campaigning while he trains, he believes a powerful result in the ring will be a big impression for voters.
"My career ends in a good way," he said, "not like other fighters that end their careers in a bad way."
That, of course, remains to be seen.