After his upcoming May 2 clash with British superstar Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, the People's Champion Manny Pacquiao said he will have one or two more fights before calling it quits.
The Pinoy boxing icon said his stellar professional career in boxing means he has nothing more to prove.
"Antagal ko na sa boxing eh, 18 years na... magna-19 years na ko sa boxing," Pacquiao said.
It has been a colorful career for Pacquiao, who set a record in becoming the first Asian to win four titles in four different divisions. He has also defeated some of the biggest names in boxing, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Oscar de la Hoya.
Two more fights after Hatton then he will hang his gloves, said Pacquiao.
“Hihintayin pa ba nating magkaroon tayo ng karamdaman bago magretiro?” said the 30-year-old General Santos native.
Pacquiao, who is currently in the United Kingdom to promote his match with Hatton in Las Vegas, said he wants to devote more time to his family.
Success, he said, is meaningless if he will not be with his four children during their formative years.
"Two months, two months lang ako sa tatlong laban, e ‘di six months na 'yun,” said Pacquiao. “Buti kung two months-two months lang akong nawawala sa bahay. Pero usually, six months-seven months akong nasa America. Mas madami akong time kesa sa pamilya ko.”
There are also talks that he will again try entering politics.
On the other hand, Hatton evaded questions of possible retirement should he lose to Pacquiao.
The two boxing superstars were together again in a news conference at the Imperial War Museum in Central London.
It was part of their UK press tour to promote the forthcoming fight dubbed as "The Battle of the East and West."
The two fighters played a game of darts during their first encounter in Manchester, two hours after their public appearance at the Trafford Center.
The darts challenge was held in the historic New Inn Club, one of the oldest English pubs in Manchester formerly owned by the Hatton family.
Meanwhile, part of Pacquiao's schedule was a courtesy call with Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu at the Philippine Embassy in London.
Filipino fans waited for hours outside the embassy.
Most of them did not report for work just to get a glimpse of the Filipino boxing icon, considered today as the best pound-for-pound fighter.
Source: ABS-CBN News
