Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum believes Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao may reconsider retirement after his final fight against Timothy Bradley, and declared Wednesday he would "love" to see a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Pacquiao insists he will step away from the ring after the third and final instalment of his rivalry with Bradley in April.
The 37-year-old is planning to run for a seat in the Philippines' senate later this year after already serving as a representative in the country's congress.
"I'm so happy to be hanging up my gloves after this fight," Pacquiao told a press conference in Los Angeles a week ago.
But Arum thinks that could all still change.
"Once that bell rings for that final round, Manny Pacquiao's going to rethink it and who knows if he decides to return?" he told AFP in Hong Kong.
"I've been in this boxing business for 50 years and I know that fighters retire and other than, say, Rocky Marciano, they come back," said the 84-year-old Arum.
"Will it be Manny's last fight? I'm not ready to guarantee that," added Arum, who also hinted at a rematch for the Filipino against Mayweather, who himself retired after their mega-fight in Las Vegas last May.
"I'd love to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao second fight, of course I would," said Arum. "The first fight was by far the most lucrative in the history of boxing.
"But Mayweather has to un-retire, Manny has to decide whether or not he's elected to the senate and he'll do the rematch, so we'll have to see.
"You know, I'm done predicting what athletes are going to do."
- Macau to Hong Kong -Bradley's WBO welterweight title will be on the line in the April 9 bout at Las Vegas's MGM Grand, in the third meeting of the two fighters.
Top Rank guru Arum was in Hong Kong to announce a three-fight deal to promote local super flyweight and world title prospect Rex Tso.
Arum confirmed that Tso would fight South Korea's Young Gil-Bae in May in Hong Kong for an Asian regional title.
A high-ranked contender would follow in September and, if successful, Tso would get a shot at becoming Hong Kong's first boxing world champion in December against the WBA super flyweight champion, currently Japan's Kohei Kono.
The deal signals the end of Arum's tie-up with the nearby resort city of Macau, where he has promoted eight casino-based shows in the past three years, including two multi-million dollar Pacquiao fights.
Macau has been hit hard by China's high-profile corruption crackdown which has kept high rollers from the gaming tables and saw casino revenues in 2015 fall to a five-year low.
"We thank Macau for hosting boxing and bringing it on a tremendous basis to this part of the world," said Arum.
"But we know there is not the same appetite for events there as in prior years," admitted Arum.
"If you're not going to get that type of support from the casinos in Macau, it is logical to bring the events to where the people are -- and that's Hong Kong," he added.
AFP
Wed Jan 27 2016
Pacquiao (pix) insists he will step away from the ring after the third and final instalment of his rivalry with Bradley in April. -Reuters
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.