MP chief wants graceful exit for Pacquiao

CEBU, Philippines —  MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons is not favorable to the idea of Manny Pacquiao going for a rematch with WBA “Super” welterweight titleholder Yordenis ‘54 Milagros” Ugas.

Just days after his shock loss to Ugas in their 12-round title bout last August 22 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao expressed his desire to slug it out again with his Cuban tormentor in January next year.

But Gibbons, Pacquiao’s confidant and business partner, said he will advise the Filipino icon against it, according to a recent report by Joaquin “Quinito” Henson of The Philippine STAR.

“We never ever need to see Ugas again,” Gibbons said. “In his prime, the Senator would’ve spanked Ugas and it would’ve been like Ugas fighting three Manny Pacquiaos at the same time because there’s no way he could’ve kept up with his speed and movement.”

If ever Pacquiao insists to fight one last time, Gibbons wants to put in place a memorable swansong, a fitting end to what has been a brilliant career of the only eight-division world champion in boxing history.

“The Senator needs a proper send-off, a tribute to a long, beautiful and illustrious Hall of Fame career against a solid opponent whom he should pound to the ground,” said Gibbons in the same report by Henson. “It should be like a big gala type, a celebration of the Senator’s career.”

Meanwhile, Pacquiao received a warm welcome from his diehard fans, something that caught him by surprise, upon his return to the country at dawn on Monday.

“Hindi ko akalain na sasalubong sila ng ganito. Sabi ko, tahimik lang dahil talo naman tayo,”said Pacquiao, who will undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine together with his entourage at the Conrad Hotel. “Laki ng pasalamat ko dahil para na rin akong nanalo.”

The 42-year-old Pacquiao, long rumored to run for the highest political seat in the country come the May 2022 Presidential elections, is expected to make a formal announcement about his future plans within this month.