Boxing: Manny Pacquiao Will Retire in 2016, Says Promoter Bob Arum

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Top Rank Boxing founder and CEO Bob Arum this week said that superstar Manny Pacquiao will retire in 2016 after one final bout, according to a Wednesday report from TMZ Sports.

Currently sidelined due to injury, Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) will focus on his political career full-time once he hangs up his gloves, according to Arum. “Pac-Man” will initially seek a senatorial position within the Philippines’ government, but his ultimate goal is to become president of his homeland.

There is no timetable or possible opponent for Pacquiao, who has twice been elected to the Filipino congress.

Pacquiao last fought in May, when he lost an uneventful unanimous decision to nemesis Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what became the highest-grossing boxing match of all time. Pacquiao drew the ire of millions of fight fans when he revealed an injured shoulder after the contest, blaming that for his lack of offensive firepower and sluggish performance. Pacquiao reportedly underwent surgery to repair the shoulder.

Mayweather will allegedly fight for the last time ever against unheralded Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. However, rumors have swirled for months that Mayweather will fight Pacquiao in a rematch next May when the new MGM and AEG-owned Las Vegas Arena finally opens its doors. Both the Mayweather and Pacquiao camps have strongly and constantly denied the rumors.