Retire or keep fighting? Local boxing analysts weigh in on Manny Pacquiao's future

At 36 years old and facing an impending surgery to repair his injured right shoulder, Manny Pacquiao finds himself at a crossroads in his boxing career. So what might be next for the Filipino ring icon? GMA News Online rounded up some local boxing analysts to share their thoughts about Pacquiao's future.



Chino Trinidad, GMA News sports correspondent

Manny Pacquiao should take control of his life and career. His prize money from the Mayweather fight will be spent on his surgery and sidelining. He needs to continue fighting and save up.



Sev Sarmenta, broadcast journalist

Like most great athletes who have sterling runs, Manny Pacquiao finds himself at a crossroads. On one hand, he is like most warriors, hungry for more battles and even one last definitive moment that will close his career. He is also at an age where despite being a finely tuned athlete, the wear and tear of the years are beginning to show.

There's also that gnawing desire to do more for his faithful followers, treat them to one more boxing bonanza that will inspire them to do more with their own lives as well.

This shoulder injury (controversial and all and deserving of more print, broadcast, and digital space because of how it was mishandled) will give Pacquiao time to ponder his next move. Some young guns are being mentioned up as the supposed next in line but there are far too many names for fans in general to remember. Pacquiao does not have to fight them all to prove anything. He is already in a place where no other Filipino boxer has gone before and that alone seals his legacy.

I doubt if there’s going to be a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. Using the Mayweather camp’s point of view, they may feel that there is nothing more to prove against Pacquiao. Mayweather, as expected, did not engage in a brawl but emerged unscathed and ahead in the scorecards based on the context of boxing’s rules and parameters. Some new money may be found to lure them back into the ring but Mayweather might ask for too much the next time around.

Only Manny Pacquiao can decide when he retires. He has earned the right to make that decision. Let’s not be in too much of a rush to get him out of the boxing picture because of what he has done and even if we genuinely care about his well being. Let us let him decide on how he will go out: In one last fight with his arms raised or quietly walking away from boxing and into our collective memories as one of the greatest the world has ever seen.



Ted Lerner, boxing writer and international ring announcer

A lot of people will say it’s time for Manny to retire, but I’m never comfortable telling another person what they should or shouldn’t do. Clearly, Manny has a lot to think about, and to have to consider his future in boxing after what just happened against Mayweather is going to be very tough on him in the coming months.

After all the promises and assurances from Manny and his team about how they had Mayweather all figured out, how they were going to knock him out, how God was on Manny’s side, the end result can be considered nothing short of a debacle.

Especially now with news that Manny’s team hid his shoulder injury from the public.

Let’s not blame the shoulder injury, however, as many boxers often fight with injuries. The bottom line is that Team Pacquiao failed miserably in this fight. They had five years to study Floyd. They and everyone else knew how Floyd fights. It was Team Pac that failed to step up and shut him down. Floyd was the better boxer he won fair and square. Pacquiao fans need to accept this, give Floyd his due, and move on.

If Manny fights again he has to be matched very carefully. A fight against Amir Khan would be fascinating, but a motivated Khan would pose a serious danger to Manny. Lucas Matthysse has a good style for Pacquiao and the fight would be much more entertaining than a rematch with Floyd.

The key for Pacquiao is that he has to be motivated by a renewed love of boxing, not just of money. If he rediscovers his love of fighting, he will be fine. If he steps back in the ring solely for the money, he risks getting embarrassed, and even hurt.

One key piece of advice I would give Manny is this: If you are going to continue fighting, trim the fat from your over bloated entourage. Tell the shameless hangers-on and leeches to take a hike while you focus on boxing. If you continue to do things as you did for the Floyd fight, it’s a recipe for more misery for you and your fans. If you can get back to basics and stay focused, you still have a few good and entertaining outings left.



JM Siasat, GMA News Online boxing correspondent

I truly believe that it's best to opt out when an athlete is still at the top. In my observation, Manny Pacquiao started to show signs of decline as early as 2010 before he fought Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, USA.

As a keen observer and student of the sweet science, I watch every move, take note of every step from training up to the fight. A week before the his match against the "Tijuana Tornado," I noticed how Pacquiao looked kind of slow while shadow boxing, an observation I brought up on social media

A fairy tale ending to Pacquiao's career would have  been if he retired after dominating Margarito. After that fight, Pacquiao had been in a roller coaster ride of some sort, losing three (one by brutal KO against Marquez in 2012) of his next eight fights.

I feel that at this point of his legendary boxing career, Pacquiao simply has nothing left to prove. He's a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer when he hangs them up. The grand irony of things is that I even feel he'd be rank higher than Floyd Mayweather in the all-time greats list when everything is said and done.

Pacquiao's resume from 130 pounds below is already tough to beat as it is. Add the number of future Hall of Famers he defeated, number of championships, number of divisions he's been a world champion and it's not tough to make a case why he's the best fighter of this generation despite his latest setback.

If I were selfish, I'll say Pacquiao has to continue fighting, bring a big event to the Philippines, go out on a winning note and put on a show for his countrymen.

But boxing history has always been kind to its fighters. Roberto Duran is not remembered for quitting against Sugar Ray Leonard in their second fight, nor is Muhammad Ali remembered for losing against Leon Spinks who only had seven fights under his belt at the time.

I have no doubt that history will be fair to the Filipino ring icon when it's time to write the entirety of his boxing career. If I hadmy way, I'd pat Pacquiao in the back, whisper to his ear that now is the time to enjoy the fruits of his labor, then thank him for an exciting 20 years.

Even if he's to continue fighting, who's out there for him besides Mayweather?

Pacquiao has made his mark. He has inspired people around the world with his story and closed his case of being a living legend. The last thing I want to see is him getting hurt. I think it's time for Pacquiao to take a break and focus in more in some of his many priorities. -- JST, GMA News