Manny: My heart is 50-50, but I might enjoy retirement
As far as Manny Pacquiao is concerned, he is retired from boxing.
Much as he loves boxing, the Filipino boxing icon is putting his family and public service above everything else – at the moment.
Although still tentative about his decision to retire from boxing, the Filipino boxing superstar said he just can’t renege on his promise to his family that he’ll finally walk away from the sport after his fight against Tim Bradley.
On Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time), the 37-year-old Pacquiao beat Bradley via unanimous decision to cap a storied career that spanned two decades and an outstanding record that now stands at 58-6-2, with 38 KOs.
“My heart is 50-50, but I love my family,” he said in the post-fight press conference at the MGM Grand. “I honor my family and my kids. I encourage them (children) not to become boxers because boxing is difficult.”
Also, he stressed his desire to help people through public service which he wants to pursue by running for a seat in the Senate in the coming elections back home.
“I love to help people, because Manny Pacquiao’s beginning is from nothing,” he said, recalling his younger days when his family lived in extreme poverty and experienced sleeping in the streets and just drinking water to survive.
“That’s why when I started earning money through boxing, I already began helping them (people).”
Asked if his retirement is temporary, Pacquiao remained non-committal.
“Who knows, I might enjoy retirement,” stressed the Sarangani province congressman. “It’s hard to say because I’m not yet there.”
“But right now, my decision is to retire.”
