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Bob Arum Comments on Manny Pacquiao's Retirement Decision

Danny Webster

As far back as late October, Manny Pacquiao made it known his fight Saturday against Timothy Bradley Jr. would be his last. Pacquiao reaffirmed that choice after winning by unanimous decision against Bradley in Las Vegas, per Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.

But while Pacquiao may go back to the Philippines as a winner, boxing promoter Bob Arum feels the world champion's move away from the boxing ring won't be permanent.

"He's torn," Arum said, per Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com. "His wife wants him to retire. He's running for office, and if he wins, which he will, there will be tremendous responsibilities that go with it. However, a big payday is something he might require in the near future."

HBO Boxing shared highlights from Pacquiao's career:

After going 58-6-2 in the ring, Pacquiao's next bout will be a political campaign in the Philippines, where he is running for a senate seat.

Pacquiao made about $160 million after fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year and will get $20 million for Saturday's fight, but Arum noted that money could become an issue down the line, per Matthews:

He doesn't have money problems now, but of course he's going to have money problems if he's going to be building hospitals out of his own pocket instead of letting the [Philippines] government build the hospitals. People care about this kid. And Manny politely listens to everybody and then does what he wants. He has no advice that he will accept.

Pacquiao has nothing left to prove in the ring. To have won 58 of 66 fights at any weight class is impressive. The primary reason for Pacquiao to return would be a potential rematch against Mayweather, who is retired.

In one of the most anticipated fights of all time, the undefeated Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in May, though the bout failed to live up to the immense hype.

However, if Pacquiao decides not to return to the ring, he'll still go down as one of the best boxers of his generation.

Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.

   

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