"No! Definitely not," stated 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao with a smile, when asked if his June 9th showdown with undefeated jr. welterweight champion Timothy Bradley would be the final fight of his career. Although Pacquiao had previously contemplated hanging up his gloves for good when the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked him to be a Bible ambassador, it appears the fire still burns inside of him...at least for a few more fights. "Maybe 2 or 3 fights," he explained, making it clear that, at least for now, he has no immediate plans to walk away from the sport.
During yesterdays press conference in New York, Pacquiao informed the media in attendance that his heart is very much so still in boxing. "I still like boxing. I love boxing. Boxing is my passion and I'm still hungry in boxing, and I still want to fight," he continued. In fact, it's a showdown with Mayweather that may motivate him more than anything if his kids have any say in the matter, as Pacquiao recalled a small request that his 11-year-old son asked of him before he does retire.
"My kids, the youngest one, he's 11 years old and he said, 'Daddy, I want you to retire, but, you know, before you retire, I have one request.' I told him, 'What is that?' [He said] 'Oh, give me one fight, you fight Mayweather and then you beat him and then you retire,'" Pacquiao added with a laugh and a smile. "Even my kids [want the fight]."
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