DOHA, Qatar -- Manny Pacquiao confirmed to ESPNdeportes.com that he plans to have one more fight before hanging up his gloves and focusing on his political career. When that day comes, 20 years will have passed since his debut in professional boxing, a sport where he was won countless world titles, which has opened doors he could never have imagined.
While visiting Doha, Qatar, to watch the AIBA World Championships, in which two of his countrymen are competing, Pacquiao chatted with ESPNdeportes.com and said he isn't retiring from boxing because he no longer feels a passion for the sport, but because the time has come to help people from a different platform.
Pacquiao, renowned for his dominance over Mexican fighters until Juan Manuel Márquez knocked him out in 2012, claimed he would love to have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, a fight which earned him over $100 million last May. In reality, however, a fight against former junior welterweight titlist Amir Khan appears more feasible.
Is it true you're retiring after one more fight?
That's my plan. I'm running for Senator; that's a great responsibility.
If you could choose your final opponent, who would it be?
That depends. It would be between seeking revenge (on Mayweather) or alternatively Amir Khan or former junior welterweight titlist Danny Garcia. But I don't know if Mayweather is going to fight again.
Do you think a fight against Khan is more likely than fighting Mayweather or Garcia?
I think the Khan fight is the most feasible. I'd like to bring the fight to the Middle East, that would be my plan, I would love to bring the fight to Doha.
When you retire after that bout, how will you feel?
I'm more than satisfied. I'm happy, especially because I met a lot of people, boxing took me to some great places, opened many doors for me, enabled me to become a congressman, to be the champion of the people.
Have you still got the hunger?
Yes, I've still got the hunger. That's why I want one more fight to move on from the Mayweather fight.
What fight would you go into retirement with; which has been the most important?
I think I had a lot of big fights. There was the fight with Oscar de la Hoya, the (Miguel) Cotto fight, the (Juan Manuel) Márquez fights, the fight with Ricky Hatton, there were so many, even the Mayweather fight.
Is it harder to get into the ring or deal with politicians?
Dealing with politicians is different; you're serving the people. I think as a senator you can help more people, especially those people who need help; they've seen how my province has improved.
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