MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao insisted that his rubber match with Timothy Bradley will be his last fight.
But some boxing observers and fans can’t help it but point out the possibility of Pacquiao fighting again especially if it involves a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Count Top Rank chief Bob Arum among them.
At Wednesday’s press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California to kick off the Pacquiao-Bradley 3 promotion, Arum said that an impressive win by the Filipino on April 9 (April 10 Manila time) could pave the way for another Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown.
Veteran boxing writer Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times shared in his Twitter account Arum’s thoughts.
Arum says if Pacquiao beats Bradley convincingly he feels strongly things will reignite for a @FloydMayweather rematch.
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) January 19, 2016 Arum says Pacquiao has told him he will retire after this fight, but the promoter says he won't market the fight as such.
— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) January 19, 2016 Arum also reiterated that he won’t market Pacquiao-Bradley 3 as Pacquiao’s last fight, keeping the door open for another fight by the Filipino later this year.
Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao last year in the richest fight in boxing history, and some observers think that the two superstars are bound to do it again given the financial gains.
The undefeated American retired after fighting once more, beating Andre Berto in an uneventful bout. Pacquiao said he will suit, even as he insisted that he won the fight with Mayweather.
"(Mayweather) retired already, so I'm going to retire also after this fight," Pacquiao said in report by The Associated Press.
"I never regret. In fact, I thought I won the fight [Mayweather]. A lot of people, my fans, believe I won the fight. ... I know (it's time to retire) because after this, I have another big responsibility in the Philippines, which is serving the people. My family wanted me to retire before I fought Mayweather. I started this boxing just to help my mother, and I'll end my boxing career to help the country," he added.
But for Arum and some in the boxing world, it’s not over until it’s really over.