by Kevin Smith
Is Manny Pacquiao’s rumored retirement after his November 13th fight with Antonio Margarito a reality or a ploy to finally pin Floyd Mayweather, Jr. down to a fight commitment?
Pacman’s pending retirement is real. It is probably coming sooner rather than later. The only question is when?
Pacquiao and Freddie Roach Laughing
Manny’s retirement from the ring immediately after the Margarito fight seemingly makes the most sense. It’s been long discussed and there are obvious reasons for it; primarily Manny’s own words and responsibilities as a Congressman in the Philippines along with simply being a seven-time world champion in seven different weight classes. What else is there for him to reasonably accomplish especially with the career(s) and security he has created for himself outside the ring?
But if there is a strong possibility of Pacquiao’s retirement after the Margarito fight then why does Freddie Roach and Bob Arum put so much effort in being vague to this possibility? Roach is right when told the BBC World Service, “We are going to lose Manny Paciquiao to politics, for sure.”
Far be it there are ulterior motives in the world of promotion and management of the sweet science. The old adage, “follow the money” stands as the best predictor of motivations probably more so in boxing than almost any other endeavor. That’s why all the well-placed innuendo from Roach and Arum on Manny’s pending retirement along with the implications his other commitments have distracted Pacquiao keeping him from being able to properly train and condition, sound more and more like a ploy bait, a scenario that would entice Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s camp to finally commit to a Pacman-Mayweather before the payday is lost for good.
A final fight for Pacquiao with Mayweather is a scenario that would provide the ultimate swan song for Manny, something this next fight with Margarito won’t provide. Of course, it also provides the best possible payday Arum and Roach could possibly hope to acquire from a fighter before Father Time claims his competitive talents and thus his marketability. It would be more than a paycheck for Manny as a victory over Mayweather would give the great Filipino fighter the ultimate exit from boxing to a future he clearly is starting to desire outside the ring along with giving his fans what they most desire. It would be a scenario wrapped up in a tidy package that would only further solidify Pacquiao’s historic legacy while firmly establishing him as one of the all time greats in boxing history.
Mayweather’s agreeing to a final showdown with Pacquiao is required in order for him to regain his credibility which has been tarnished. His camp has become seen as having more ducks and excuses in their supposed testing requirements during their last fight negotiations than Floyd could hope to have feints and jabs. Manny’s retirement without Mayweather having fought him would leave that cloud of doubt “of what could have been” hanging over any of his future accomplishments. Arum and Roach in their comments on Pacquiao’s recent training, distractions, and future desires are just laying a trapline for Mayweather to think the time is right to move within the remaining time constraints of Manny’s pending retirement.
Even though the reasons and public motivations for an immediate retirement from boxing are obviously justified for Pacquiao; there is more at stake for him and what one believes will keep him in the hunt, perhaps even colluding with Roach and Arum, to finally nail down Mayweather to a date in the ring.
Manny Pacquiao has never forgotten where he is from—a painfully poor childhood. He is also painfully aware of what he represents to those, still in the same condition he came from—his fans and countrymen. He has continually demonstrated “he has never forgotten” in his continued philanthropy and even in his determination to become a Congressman and to be in a position to help even more. The Pacman knows he has the chance to give his fans what no one else can — PRIDE! Manny’s ability to deliver a message of hope to those he still identifies with and has never forgotten will keep him in the fight until he can provide the “ultimate exit for them.”
In the Margarito fight, Manny is fighting who he can and in a strategic way, he is working towards his ultimate exit by showing he is willing to fight all qualified comers, in effect making Mayweather look “more than just cautious.” Calling him out by FIGHTING, Manny will force Mayweather to fight soon or risk an increased level of heckling that will permanently tarnish him.
The Mayweather camp may even find a fight with Amir Khan, an interceding excuse before finally having to commit to a showdown with the Pacman, but even that scenario seems to be covered in the Roach-Arum boxing promotion cabal as Khan is currently training in Roach’s Wild Card Gym training with Pacquiao.
A Kahn-Mayweather bout, should both Manny and Floyd win in their next ring meetings, would only elevate the significance of a final Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown and allow Manny time to take care of politics during the interim. He could then focus on one final fight for his legacy, for boxing history, for Pinoy Pride.
Manny, keep fighting for the Ultimate Exit!