The last of Manny Pacquiao?

MANILA, Philippines – The telltale signs are there – losing three of his last six fights, scoring no knockout the past six years that hinted at a waning killer-instinct that in the past led to brutal stoppages – the very benchmark of his glory years.

Now he is fighting a man in the last chapter of a trilogy that seems to lack the steam of a rivalry. It would give Tim Bradley another rich pay check and more importantly provide a stage for an impending closure to one of the greatest careers in boxing in recent times.

For Manny Pacquiao has said this showdown with the American champ at the MGM Grand would be his last, his farewell fight.

Retirement beckons. At 37, he could no longer slow down the onslaught of time, enduring the wear and tear of a career that has spanned for over 21 years and 65 fights. Even the Saturday fight (Sunday in Manila) no longer creates the kind of impact and anticipation that used to  seize and still the nation for at most 30 agonizing minutes in the past.

Have we seen the last of Manny Pacquiao?

Are we going to see at high noon today the last hurrah of the phenom of a fighter whose feats helped save world boxing from being consumed by the advent of other forms of combat sports?

Is he really hanging up his gloves which have become his trusted tool as he hacked a way out of the crushing poverty of his youth to be the king of the ring?

But, like a furious flurry of deadly blows, he is quick to qualify a long-sought family decision to retire.

“It’s hard to say right now. I haven’t been there. I don’t know the feeling of being there. But I’m OK with that (retirement),” said the man sitting on millions of dollars in earnings.

What is in this most basic and ancient of man’s test of heart and will that most of the great champs wouldn’t know or refuse to concede that their time is up -- from Muhammad Ali, to Oscar Dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Admittedly, it is one lethal sport that reminds one of his sense of mortality, journeying into one’s personal hell to feed a passion that would stir up liberal dose of violence and mayhem to inflict on another to be able to maim and excel?

For sure Manny Pacquiao had gone through his personal hell to feed the demon of his craft to become the brilliant fighter that he is, at one time hailed the best pound-for-pound loved all over.

Now time has been winning the torrid exchanges in the corner with the Pacman, raising questions whether he is to retire or defer the move for another megabuck match.

Only Manny could tell.  But one thing is certain, through his exploits he had given the world the image of a Filipino with the courage, resiliency in spirit and strength of character. And for this we will be forever grateful to this man of destiny, a warrior of the first order, dishing out unforgettable fights for us to witness, bask and celebrate in his moments of triumph. He unwittingly instilled in us that sense of pride and history, secured in the thought that somewhere in our midst there came a great Filipino fighter who happened in our lifetime.

Long live and live long, champ.