Retirement ‘near’ as Pacquiao returns home
Boxer hints at hanging up his gloves following his loss to Mayweather in Las Vegas.
Published On 13 May 2015
Manny Pacquiao made a low-key return to the Philippines after losing his mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather and said retirement was drawing closer as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
| Fight sets TV records |
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The “Fight of the Century” between boxing greats Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao generated record pay-per-view revenue in the US of $400m from 4.4m buys, cable networks Showtime and HBO said.
The May 2 fight in Las Vegas that saw Mayweather beat Pacquiao in a unanimous decision cost $99 to view in high definition.
With additional revenue from ticket sales, international TV distribution and other sources, worldwide receipts are expected to top $500 million, the networks said.
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A smiling Pacquiao, his right arm supported by a black sling, told reporters he hadn’t yet decided on his future after his May 2 defeat by unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
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“I will focus first on healing my shoulder. After that, I will announce continuing my career or announcing retirement,” Pacquiao said.
“I’m not saying I am going to retire, but it’s near. I’m already 36, turning 37 this December.”
Pacquiao said it could take six months to recover from the operation on his torn rotator cuff, which he underwent days after what was billed as the “Fight of the Century”.
The American called Pacquiao a “sore loser” for blaming the injury for his defeat, and the Filipino is facing a law suit which claims he fraudulently concealed the problem.
Asked about a possible rematch with Mayweather, Pacquiao said: “I (would) like that. I want that. But my focus right now is my shoulder, my work as a congressman and my family.”
Pacquiao said he had accepted his defeat to Mayweather, but after reviewing the fight on video, he believed he won by a slim margin.
“I reviewed the fight and kept score. I won by two points… But a decision has been made and we have to accept it.”
Source: AFP