By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
During one of the episodes of actress Toni Gonzaga’s Toni Talks aired on Youtube, boxing’s only eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao boldly spoke about his future left in the sport.
He answered Gonzaga with one line.
“Boxing career ko? Tapos na ang boxing career ko.”
With many expecting the celebrated fighter to avenge his loss after a shocking defeat against Yordenis Ugas during their welterweight clash, Pacquiao went the opposite direction and announced that his boxing career is already done.
“Kasi, matagal na rin ako sa pag bo-boxing. Yung pamilya ko, lagi nilang sinasabing tama na. Nagtuloy tuloy lang ako kasi passionate ako sa sport na ito,” added the legendary Filipino boxer.
Critics always questioned Pacquiao’s activity in the ring when he took on the younger and hungry Keith Thurman at the age of 40.
However, everyone was stunned when Pacquiao schooled Thurman in 12 rounds including a sweet knockdown in the first round.
Questions were then again raised if Pacquiao can still top the stacked welterweight division with his flawless performance but was quickly turned down after his loss against Ugas.
People from all over the boxing world claimed that Pacquiao had no head movement inside the ring and lacked the foot speed that he used to have years ago.
Pacquiao’s close friends including head trainer Freddie Roach agreed that that might be his last ride in the sport he once dominated and they weren’t wrong.
“Magsu support nalang ako ng mga boksingero na magiging champion natin ulit. Sino mag aakalang ang isang magtitinda lang ng tinapay ay magiging world champion?” Pacman shared.
